Do you remember the first time you really had to think like an entrepreneur at EnBW? How did you experience that situation?
Dynamic entrepreneur: Yes, right at the beginning. I was still new and suddenly in the middle of a project where we didn’t have a ready-made solution. We had to decide for ourselves how to proceed and, above all, where to start.
That was unfamiliar territory. I had to set priorities, sometimes consciously put things aside, and make decisions even though not everything was 100% clear yet. But that’s exactly what made it exciting. What helped me was the exchange within the team and with other departments. And keeping this question in mind: What will really move us forward here? Looking back, that was the moment when I realized how much creative freedom you get at EnBW and that taking responsibility is part of the job, even when not everything can be planned perfectly.
This experience made me realize just how much freedom and responsibility I actually have at EnBW. For me, that means thinking like an entrepreneur—but also constantly taking an honest look at myself and my actions. Only then can I truly grow and succeed.
Here's what's behind it:
- Recognises opportunities and uses them consistently
- Makes decisions based on fundamentals boldly and promptly
- Sets clear priorities and consciously eliminates things that bring little added value
- Remains level-headed in critical situations and provides orientation
- Aligns action with good commercial performance
- Maintains the balance between speed in (technical) progress and appropriate risk awareness
Have you ever been in a situation where things suddenly didn’t go as planned? How did you handle it, and what helped you learn from the experience?
Self-reflective learner: I know those moments all too well. I remember a project where suddenly everything went differently, the goal stayed the same, but the path was completely new. At first, that was frustrating because I thought, “This isn’t how I imagined it.” It was precisely then that I realized how important it is to pause for a moment and reflect honestly: What went well, what didn’t, and what can I learn from this?
I’ve made it a habit to seek feedback regularly; often, a brief conversation with a colleague is enough to gain a new perspective. This helps me avoid getting stuck in old patterns. And sometimes it just takes a little courage to try something new.
What helps me with this is seeing challenges as opportunities to grow, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. In the end, that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding—seeing how I and the team grow together and drive EnBW forward with new ideas.
The more I work on my own personal growth, the more I realize how rewarding it is to guide others on their journey as well. For me, true growth doesn’t happen in isolation, but rather through interaction and collaboration.
Here's what's behind it:
- Shows awareness of one's own values, beliefs, motivations and fears
- Proactively seeks feedback and reflects on one's own attitude and behavior
- Constantly looking for targeted learning impulses for personal development areas and goals
- Shows resilience in the face of obstacles or failures
- Creates space for regeneration and finds his own balance
What is it like for you to guide others on their journey and help them surpass their own expectations?
Facilitator and coach: I’ve had the opportunity to experience this many times, but one moment in particular has stayed with me. I once worked with someone who had a lot of self-doubt. That’s when I realized how much it helps to simply listen and honestly say, “I felt exactly the same way at the beginning.” For me, support doesn’t mean having the perfect solution but rather looking together at what helps in the moment.
My own experiences are important here. I know how much it means when someone believes in you and encourages you to try new things or make mistakes. I want to pass that on.
The best part for me is when someone surpasses their own expectations or the team comes up with a solution together that no one had thought of before. That keeps motivating me to stick with it and create an atmosphere where learning and experimentation are a given.
Ever since I’ve seen how much energy is generated when we support one another and grow together, I’ve known how important collaboration is beyond our own team. For me, true success means pooling our ideas and strengths, because together we simply achieve more.
Here's what's behind it:
- Helps to agree on clear goals, responsibilities and decision-making powers
- Make sure that decision-making powers are delegated to those who have the necessary competence to do so
- Creates a culture of learning and growth through active listening and continuous feedback
- Empower others to reach their full potential
- Supports others to learn and work in a self-directed manner
- Recognizes obstacles and also finds ways to overcome them with the team
What is it like for you to connect people and departments at EnBW, thereby enabling new forms of collaboration and ideas?
Bridge Builder: To me, building bridges often feels like an exciting puzzle. I’m constantly meeting new people from different departments and realizing how much we can learn from each other when we truly engage with one another. It brings me joy when a conversation suddenly sparks an idea that we develop together—sometimes even with people who previously had nothing to do with one another.
Often, all it takes is a small nudge for teams or colleagues to open up and benefit from one another. I try to be open and bring different perspectives together. The diversity at EnBW makes collaboration particularly exciting for me; that’s where the best ideas and solutions come from.
What I love most is seeing individual teams come together to form a true community. It’s important to me that we network and work together, because together we simply achieve more.
Here's what's behind it:
- Brings people together
- Prioritizes overarching goals over your own divisional goals
- Values diversity, puts himself in the shoes of others and promotes and integrates different perspectives
- Through their behavior, contributes to an inclusive environment in which everyone can fully develop with their individuality for the team's success
- Actively work with other team members towards the common mission
With these Skill Compasses, we are laying the foundation for personal growth and strong teams. In our next post, we’ll take a look at how we’re shaping the future of EnBW with fresh ideas, bold action, and a clear vision of what lies ahead. Stay tuned to see what happens next!