MAYDAY IM SYSTEM -
Warum Führung oft anders funktioniert als gedacht
A humorously written guide for all managers who want to not only survive but lead effectively.
Leadership rethought – perspectives from practice and systems theory
In a time when leaders navigate rising expectations, increasing organizational complexity, and the dynamics of changing markets, new perspectives are needed. This book is aimed at people in leadership positions who don't hope for simple answers, but rather want to understand the mechanisms behind the obvious – and who seek new approaches when traditional solutions no longer work.
"MAYDAY IN THE SYSTEM - Why leadership often works differently than expected" combines 30 years of practical experience in military aviation, corporate life, and systemic consulting with the principles of systems theory. It is simultaneously a report of experiences, a space for reflection, and an invitation to rethink leadership – context-related, realistic, and effective.
What you will find in this book:
- A clear, practical discussion of self-leadership, external leadership and organization
- Insights into the interrelationships between structure, communication, culture and leadership systems
- Personal experiences from aviation and business, directly transferable to everyday management
- Systems-theoretical perspectives on organizations as social systems – beyond classical human resource development
- Reflection questions and concrete impulses for application in everyday life
- A good pinch of humor – without losing sight of the essentials
This book is not a collection of ideal leadership models. It is a contribution to the realistic development of leadership concepts and behavior. It is aimed at executives, organizational leaders, and all those who want to understand leadership as a process that can be shaped within dynamic systems.
A book for everyone who wants to lead effectively – with orientation, system understanding and attitude.
Coming in September 2025
MAYDAY IM SYSTEM
Warum Führung oft anders funktioniert als gedacht
A humorously written guide for all managers who want to not only survive but lead effectively.
Reading sample: A day in action
"At this point, I'd like to take you to another place. To a story—it forms the basis for the first section of this book and helps us illuminate the coming themes in a tangible and vivid way."
Location: Indian Ocean, near the coast of Somalia. Time: A routine day on board – until the alarm was raised by "Action Lynx".
The story takes you into the heart of a military operation against pirate attacks. It provides a firsthand account of how to deal with stress mentally, the interaction of well-coordinated teams, and the dynamics of unpredictable events—and impressively demonstrates how self-leadership works under pressure.
It is not just about the deployment itself, but about the big question:
How do people remain capable of acting in extreme situations? And what does this mean for leadership in organizations?
"It's a journey into the colorful world of self-leadership—without which such missions would not have been possible. So before we look at the team, the department, or the entire company, let's take the mirror out of the closet and look at our reflection."
The lessons learned from this day in action extend far beyond the cockpit. They reach into conference rooms, team meetings, strategy processes, and change projects. And they demonstrate that self-leadership is not a "nice to have"—it's the starting point for all effective leadership.