We create high performance organizations, in which people enjoy their work. The burst of energy, the outstanding results and the team spirit that emerge are our driving force. At ambitionize®, we strenghten courage, so together we can create better work for a better world.
... that are productive, fun and engaging.
Courage is the capacity to step out of the comfort zone and the core quality leaders need to move people and organizations forward. Without courageous leaders there are no bold decisions and there is no innovation. Courageous leaders are the irresistible force that inspires the whole organization to produce unprecedented results. At ambitionize®, we equip leaders to navigate disruption and uncertainties, overcome obstacles and to see changes through.
Our expertise is the business transformation in mid-sized companies and of business units and functions in large companies.
At ambitionize®, we work with proven models and methods, combining consulting, coaching and training in our tailor made programs.We customize our services for the outcome you want to see and the requirements of your organization. ambitionize® manages the balance between interventions on strategy, analytics, operating model AND on leadership, collaboration and mindsets. We ensure that the transformation takes hold throughout the organization, implementing the new. We co-create the necessary interventions with your change agents, either on site or in a virtual setting.
You know what to take care of, because we look beyond the visible symptoms, discovering the underlying problems with triggering questions and the essential analytics.
Get ready to create your future , because we support you in identifying purpose and innovative ideas. We support you in applying your expertise and energy to bring it all into action. We create what we imagine.
We coach and train leaders to harness their courage, to transfer towards a new mindset and skills set, enabling their teams to deliver better results every day and enjoy the ride.
We take care of ambitious goals, effective planning and agile execution. We help anticipate and manage resistance. Auto-pilot OFF – Courage ON
We do the “hard“ and the “soft” part of transformation. Combining analytical sense, strategic capacity and business acumen with big empathy, deep insight into human make-up, underlying organizational paradigms and mastery of personal transformation.
We have been there ourselves. We are senior business leaders, having managed various complex transformation processes with energy, fun and outstanding performance.
Digital for humans: agile techniques for the purpose of improving client value and supporting an efficient business operating model, fit for your growth strategy.
We look below the surface and we hear what is not said. This means deeper analytics, sharper questions, more empathic listening. Working with not against the undercurrent to facilitate the change process.
We empower our clients to be transformation agents themselves. The sooner the leadership team is on track, the better. ambitionize® makes your organization stronger.
Business challenge
Managing Director saw a lack of ownership at the middle management level. They would try to shift responsibilities away from them, and would rather blame others than see their own part in difficult situations. The Managing Director felt that for many, a leadership role was rather an entitlement than a responsibility. He expected them to step forward, take risks and to solve issues swiftly.
Objective of the intervention
Reflect upon and heighten individual leadership, increase collaboration at middle management level.
Phase 1
Individual interviews with all middle managers, establishing their expectations, frustrations and needs in order to fulfil their responsibility. Design of a 2 day workshop to work through core leadership challenges.
Phase 2
Workshop with managers, confronting mindset and attitude through experiential learning. Offering key insights into courageous leadership (lead yourself, creating a strategic action plan, effective communication, addressing conflict). Training and coaching of relevant skills. Creating individual and mutual commitment for new behaviors and actions. Practicing how to devise stringent work plans and how to resolve conflicts with team members.
Results
Heightened self-leadership, stronger connection at middle management and more systematic ways of working. Faster issue resolution, better work processes and more joy in working together.
Methods used
Appreciative inquiry, experiential learning, MyAvatar®.
Phase 3
The following year, we were called in again to strengthen the resolution of strategic business challenges and train leadership skills to improve departmental performance. This was in light of continued restructuring projects throughout the international corporation, which were leading to very high levels of uncertainty and ambiguity. Together with the Managing Director and HRO we defined objectives and core outcomes of a follow-up workshop.
Objective of the intervention
Strengthen individuals’ leadership, sharpen their strategic insights, focus on their circle of influence and own their responsibilities.
Phase 4
Workshop with managers. Anchoring individuals’ values at the core of leadership, understanding external and internal key strategic challenges, experiencing levels of listening, intensive practice of issue resolution.
Results
Heightened confidence, resourcefulness and focus of middle management.
Methods used
presentations on leading in a VUCA world, stakeholder analysis, 5 Why’s, Grave’s value model, MBTI, transactional analysis.
Business challenge
Client experienced a culture of fear and risk aversion throughout the organization. Employees did not feel confident anymore doing their job and made more mistakes. More quality controls did not help; on the contrary.
Phase 1
2-day meeting with leadership team. A systemic line of questioning helped find the root causes. With a combination of 2 methods; Appreciative Inquiry and rapid prototyping, an action plan was formed and ready to start next day. Results phase 1: improved connection as leadership team, combined forces, a specific action plan.
Phase 2
Support the leadership team in taking the bold actions needed. The audit team was involved to bring insight on the content and set the bar. A training session to practice new skills and prepare to deal with expected resistance. Team members were selected as “champions” to support the actions on the work floor. Results: everyone was feeling empowered and prepared to go for it.
Business challenge
Insufficient communication, low self-confidence, lack of objectives and unclear roles and responsibilities were among the issues raised by the new head of the German subsidiary of a multinational company. The consequences were closed office doors, low energy in the teams and bad vibes among some colleagues.
Phase 1
Intense preparation with the leadership of the organization and an HR representative. Design of a 2 day workshop to address challenges.
Phase 2
Workshop with all 20 team members, creating a common purpose for all, agreeing on new ways of working and on shared projects to be delivered. Participants learned how to shift their attitudes and mindsets so that they could experience fun, rewarding and constructive collaborations. The resulting agreements were visualized and shared with the entire group.
Phase 3
A wall poster detailing the results of the workshop was placed in the most prominent and accessible spot in the office. Consistent referral to the visualized agreements in teams, all projects are progressing at speed, new ways of working established.
Results
Heightened collaboration and much higher work satisfaction. Smooth communication among all team members, persistent tensions were overcome.
Methods used
finding your purpose, Avatar®, Momente der Komplimente®, confidence walk, stop-start-continue exercise, project planning, wall poster.
Best moment(s)
Friday afternoon 4 pm, workshop is finished and nobody is leaving – despite a long drive home for many. They cannot stop talking with each other, enjoying the results and the newly found connection.
3 months later
conversation with client – wall poster is present in the office, in each team meeting everyone refers to the results and the commitments of our workshop.
