Why mental health became my purpose
Executive Summary:
The Turning Point: After more than 20 years in global corporations, it became clear: real impact comes from humanity, not high-gloss presentations.
The Background: From total isolation and dropping out of college at 20 to success at Airbus and Jungheinrich – a journey of extreme resilience.
The Mask: Dropping the professional mask doesn’t cause a career setback; it opens doors to authentic missions and global opportunities.
The Message: Companies must stop stigmatizing being different. Individuality is not a weakness but a valuable resource.
Intro
Many talk about resilience using textbooks. My path was different. A conversation about the roots of my work.
You spent over 20 years in global corporations. What was the moment you realized you had to start talking about being human rather than just efficiency?
To be honest, it was a gradual process accompanied by deep gratitude. At 20, I was in total isolation, a college dropout with no friends. Working for companies like Hapag Lloyd, Airbus, and Jungheinrich later was a privilege. But I realized that flashy PowerPoints often had little impact. My purpose lay in helping others through my own story.
Your book was very successful even though you published it without a publisher. Yet many fear that openness harms their career. How did you experience the moment you let your mask fall?
I am proud that my book was successful without a publisher. My biggest fear was always: what will people think? And the worry about financial decline. But the monsters behind the door never showed up. At Jungheinrich, I received enormous opportunities to follow my mission worldwide, for which I am forever grateful.
When you walk into a company today as a coach or speaker: what is the one core message you absolutely want to leave people with?
I have two goals: to show those affected that things can always improve if you act quickly and to raise awareness that we are not all the same. Being different must not be stigmatized. Companies benefit from individuality as a resource.
Time for real change instead of empty phrases?
Those who drop the mask gain the freedom to lead. I help you and your team leverage psychological safety and cognitive diversity as a true competitive advantage. Let’s talk.
