Growing together in an amazing peer group

What a journey: Over the past three months, we had the opportunity to support managers from a wide range of industries through our COX Leadership Practice Program, together with our trainers Michaela Sauerwein and Flora Otahal. It was an intense and rewarding time filled with exchange, reflection, and shared growth.

What stood out most was the diversity of the group: project leads, founders, and managing directors from a variety of industries. These different perspectives made the conversations about leadership, challenges, and best practices especially valuable. Again and again, we saw how much we can learn from one another when we speak openly about leadership and the challenges that come with it.

A few learnings that created real “aha” moments for our participants:

• Good leadership starts with good preparation, especially when it comes to difficult conversations.
• Delegation is not just about assigning tasks. It also means closing the loop with clear agreements, ownership, and accountability.
• People develop more sustainably when we lead through questions instead of jumping straight to answers.
• Leadership also means helping employees reach their next level and supporting them in “upleveling.”
• Pauses in conversation are not a sign of uncertainty. They are often the moments when the best thoughts emerge.
• When engagement is low, it is worth looking for the underlying cause rather than treating symptoms or creating quick-fix solutions.

And of course, there was plenty of fun along the way. The role plays in particular brought a lot of laughter, experimentation, and learning.

A big thank you to all participants for your openness, your willingness to reflect, and your readiness to share your experiences. You made this group truly special!