1. What excites me about my job…
Definitely the people! Leadership is my top priority; I am passionate about developing high-performing teams alongside my many talented colleagues while providing an enjoyable working environment for them. I love supporting colleagues who are steadily gaining self-confidence, embracing their strengths, developing a growth mindset, and are hungry to learn new things. Especially in the current time, as we face a multitude of new conditions, I see it as essential to focus on this. For me, in addition to professional skills, personal development is a very important component for any successful team in the leisure and retail sector. We start every week with a one-hour session; I really appreciate the cohesion that develops as a result of this and how it highlights each team members strengths.
From a professional perspective, I am fascinated by reinventing Outletcity Metzingen every day against the backdrop of our rapidly changing world with the goal of offering our guests the world's best shopping experience. Managing a retail destination feels like putting together a bouquet of many different types of flowers, both in terms of variety and in terms of changes we adapt to daily.
2. What frustrates me sometimes…
Currently, I am frustrated by the challenges surrounding Corona and the political situation. In addition to the heartbreaking fates of many people, the situation is a challenge for the entire economy.
Nevertheless, we have a positive outlook in the retail world. As Confucius said, “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” We invent new strategies, work to our strengths, and keep things moving steadily forward. This prompts comfort zone expansion and personal growth. We don't see problems as problems, we create solutions because there is a solution for everything.
3. My secret dream job
Besides my beloved job at Outletcity Metzingen, my son comes first – spending time with him is probably the best alternative job in the world. I'm lucky to have found an employer like HOLY AG that allows me a great work-life balance, so I can juggle everything. My teams do a great job and work well while I catch up on mommy-son time.
4. My top strategy for surviving a really bad day at the office
On days like this, I re-focus on my bigger vision and goals: On the why. I try to do the things that bring me joy first, then reward myself with lots of positive things.
I also try to stop overthinking and focus my energy on positive, resolvable issues. I heard a great metaphor on a podcast once that works brilliantly: Run an hourglass and allow yourself to be supremely angry about an unpleasant situation until the hourglass runs down. You're supposed to live through the problem and then let it go and focus on profitable issues, as the quote, “If it doesn't bring you purpose, don't give it your energy,” recommends.
I try to perform my morning routine every day. This consists of journaling, meditation or exercise, and healthy eating – it’s a game changer for me.
5. How I get into the flow
When I have my routines firmly in place and am consistently practicing them. My guiding principle here is: “First look after yourself – success starts within you.”
I am in the flow when I create momentum and power through routine. This includes keeping a healthy balance between family, sports, and mindfulness in addition to work. Then I am in control of my body and mind. Keeping structure in mind, a clear vision and goals is key for me, then things automatically slip into place.
6. Biggest success so far
My teams are doing a great job and I see successes every day as we hit many small milestones; We get a bit closer to the goal every day.
If I had to single out two personal things, one would be building my teams. When I started at Outletcity 10 years ago, many teams did not exist. We created structures and organizations. We worked together across many interfaces to elevate Outletcity to the next level for our guests every year. As the largest outlet center in Europe, the brand’s image, performance, and customer experience have evolved every year and we’re still growing.
A second major success dates back to my previous role. There, at a very young age – I was 24 at the time – I gained the trust of the management and made a significant contribution to building the European retail landscape.
7. My greatest defeat
Defeats are important – in fact, I dare say they are more important than successes. We often see the best results immediately after a defeat, when we are in uncomfortable situations and outside our comfort zone.
Mistakes should be allowed to happen, but they should be clearly addressed and analyzed in order not to repeat them and to learn from them.
However, it's also okay to admit that you can't do everything perfectly – that's why you have a team with many different team players and different skills. Together, growth is much greater.
My biggest defeat came in the context of a systematically organized theft over several months in a store for which I was responsible. I sensed something was wrong the whole time, but I didn't pay enough attention to the situation and in the end, when it all came to light, I doubted my leadership skills on top of feeling the economic damage.
8. Worst buzzword
All the triggering terms around the topic of Corona. I advise everyone to generally watch the news only once a day and to carefully pick 2-3 reliable sources that report on world events. You need to be up to date on what's happening in the world, but you don’t need to be constantly bombarded. I have long turned off push notifications to avoid triggering topics.
9. The best reward after a hard week at work…
Time with my family and son, playing sport, or relaxing at home on the roof terrace with a glass of wine.
10. Home office or in-house?
Definitely in-house, which facilitates networking internally and externally. However, it is important to keep up with the times and respond to the needs of team members. 1-2 home office days per week are absolutely okay, so that we can carve out more family time or me-time rather than burning up hours commuting.
11. The most important quality a colleague/business partner can have
A driver mentality, positive mindset, and creativity. People who have a passion for their work are extremely inspiring and infect those around them with their nature. I love Steve Jobs' quote on this: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
12. My creative hack
I have a book that I use for journaling and ideas. This book is my creative bible – and is filled with my best thoughts, many of which occur when I'm in the shower or exercising, for example.
13. The first website I check in the morning
I try to focus on my son and my routines in the mornings and avoid the internet for the first hour after I wake up. On the way into the office, I dive into the online world. For business topics I read Handelsblatt and FAZ, and for industry specific news I read Business of Fashion.
14. My favorite digital tool
WhatsApp. It allows direct contact with business partners, colleagues, and, most importantly, family. From voice messages to pictures and texts, anyone who knows me well is never surprised to get a WhatsApp from me at any time of the day or night.
15. The book or series from which I have learned the most for my (work) life
I highly recommend Bodo Schäfer and Grant Cardone’s books regarding work life and personal growth. Robert Kiyosaki is very helpful to understand and learn about entrepreneurship. Brene Brown and Maxim Mankevich are excellent for spiritual development.
16. Which series, book, or podcast I would generally recommend...
I listen to Tobias Beck's podcasts several times a week. He is a very inspiring person who focuses on leadership and personal development.
17. Most prominent follower on social media?
I know Sybille Schön, CEO of Aigner, and Christiane Arp, longtime editor-in-chief of German Vogue at Conde Nast, really well and am proud of these special relationships.
17 and a half: What has always...
…fascinated me Rhonda Byrne says: “We become what we think – energy flows where attention goes.” This really works, without exception.