Ben MacKenzie
I support people and organisations in creating space for initiative and provide them with the means to use it.
I believe that organisations are more productive and joyful places, when we treat people as capable adults, who are "allowed to perform" instead of "controlled to work". As a leader I have experienced, how I could support initiative or – regretfully – completely destroy it.
As consultant and entrepreneur, I see that this kind of freedom doesn't just develop and work. It takes courage to give people freedom and it is demanding to make good use of it – for all parties involved. Time and again I have to let go of my habitual beliefs. I have lots of discussions to calibrate mutual expectations. And I have to bring myself to embrace and tackle conflicts, that inevitably arise from freedom.
But I consistently observe that it pays off. This kind of collaboration generates an energy that the people didn't think possible and that brings the organisation to life.
I support people and organisations in creating space for initiative and provide them with the means to use it.
Experience
Eight years of consulting experience, working with leaders, teams and organisations on effective leadership and collaboration, in companies of all kinds and sizes. Co-founder of Förster und Netzwerk in 2011. Author of leadership articles and a book.
Four years of nautical career as officer and master of traditional tall ships and two years as project manager of a fundraising agency.
Since 2015 more and more routine in combining passion for consulting with being a real dad to my wonderfully life-hungry son.
Education
Psychologist (equals M.Sc.; University of Mannheim), isb Wiesloch (Systemic Consultant Curriculum for Junior Professionals);
Various further training and certification: Professional Scrum Master (scrum.org), staRHlord (Resourceful Humans), Getting Things Done Fundamental (Next Action Partners);
Master commercial ocean going sailing vessels, worldwide (Enkhuizen Nautical College).