In career support, I offer managers a “safe space” in which they can reflect with a neutral sparring partner and sometimes express and consider thoughts in an uncensored manner. The format is primarily used by managers who have grown very quickly in their careers and/or have positions with a very high level of responsibility. These people often wish to have a sparring partner in the network who knows them and their topics, so that they can dock again and again at longer intervals and reflect from an outside perspective. Often there is no specific question but rather it is about overarching and holistic topics of professional and personal maturation in order to meet the requirements and one’s own ambition. Topics such as positioning in a complex environment, dealing with constant pressure, the influence of a career on other life goals or ethical dilemmas are reflected on.
Managers who work in highly dynamic, complex or crisis-hit companies perceive this opportunity as valuable, especially since the higher up the management level you are, the more there is a lack of open feedback.