Coaching is aimed at thinking about topics and issues in a neutral framework with professional support and developing alternative perspectives and options for action. The practical change work is the responsibility of the clients themselves. The coach gives impulses, asks questions and helps with structuring and finding a sustainable solution.

A coaching process usually includes 3-5 sessions for a clearly defined concern. For more complex topics, further sessions are usually needed. For example, a process can take a few weeks or even a few months. Some clients also come back sporadically and some I have been accompanying and supporting for many years.

Everything we discuss remains confidential. I commit myself to data protection in accordance with the GDPR.

The coaching takes place either in my coaching space at Brüsseler Platz 10, 50672 in Cologne or online via Zoom / MS Teams, by phone or during a walk in one of Cologne's parks or on the Rhine.

We will discuss the fee in the first, free phone call. On request, I will also be happy to send this information in advance by email. Coaching and advice on professional topics is tax-deductible for private individuals in Germany.

Leadership Coaching in Cologne or online

Q: Length of the coaching session

A coaching session usually lasts 1.5 - 3 hours. We discuss the timeframe at the beginning of the process, based on the topics and needs of the client.

Q: Time interval between sessions

The time interval is determined by the clients, I follow the respective pace. A 2-week interval is common, but you can also start with weekly appointments or choose a longer interval.

Reflective Leadership: The better I know myself, the more effective I am as a leader

Leadership begins with self-leadership and regular reflection. For me, this means being able to assess the consequences of my actions and empathise with my employees. Knowing how the human brain works and what we need to be able to work in a healthy and motivated way is a ground-breaking realisation for many leaders who come to me for coaching. Becoming aware of my opportunities to create a health-promoting and motivating environment is just as much a part of coaching as recognising which of my behavioural and communication patterns have the opposite effect. Sometimes it's the very small things that can have a huge impact.

I offer you systemic and neuroscience-based methods and models in executive coaching (NeuroLeadership and NeuroMindfulness®) to help you and your teams stay healthy and productive in the long term.

Leading in times of transformation

In a world where permanent change and complex transformation processes are the order of the day, leaders are first and foremost shapers and facilitators of change. They are expected to provide guidance in times of great uncertainty and proactively address employees' concerns and fears. For this to succeed, you need to know yourself extremely well. In my work with leaders, I have learnt that being aware of your own needs and feelings, taking good care of yourself and having a positive and unbiased attitude are prerequisites and success factors for leading yourself and others through change in a healthy way.

Leading in a virtual, hybrid and face to face context

Teams that work both virtually and in presence (i.e. hybrid), as well as working from home, have long been a reality. Nevertheless, leading these teams and working in the digital context can present a variety of challenges and conflicts. Especially in combination with different time zones and cultures. In over 15 years of working with (international) virtual teams and leaders, I have repeatedly realised how valuable and purposeful reflecting on these topics can be. Team cohesion has been strengthened, stress levels reduced, the effectiveness of communication and work processes increased and diversity utilised as a competitive advantage when different cultures work together.

If you, as an HR manager or people development specialist, are looking for coaches for your coach pool or your (international) leadership development programmes, I look forward to hearing from you.

An exemplary selection of questions with which international clients come to me for coaching:

What makes me a leader and what values do I want to exemplify?

How do I succeed in identifying and changing destructive behaviour patterns?

How can I develop empathy and learn to ask good questions?

How do I lead myself and my team through transformation processes in a healthy way?

I am worried about a team member; how do I address this?

How do I find the right leadership style that suits me and my team?

How do I create trust and psychological safety within a virtual global team?

What can I do to keep my employees healthy and productive in the long term?

How do I retain employees in the company in the long term?

How can I support my employees in balancing work and family life?

How do I take the best care of my employees in times of global uncertainty?

How do I design a framework in which all employees feel welcome?

How can I communicate efficiently and at the same time in an interculturally sensitive way?

How do I create a respectful and constructive feedback or feedforward culture in my team?

How does nonviolent communication work and how can I use it for feedback discussions?

How do I prevent micromanagement and promote autonomy and self-organization?

How can I replace time-consuming online meetings with more effective communication channels?

FAQ's on Coaching and Consulting

Goal

Length of the coaching session

Number of sessions

Time interval between sessions

Confidentiality

Coaching location

Fee per session

Interested in a free introductory call at short notice?

You can reach me on Mondays between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays
between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on +49 178 8498304, also via Signal. If I'm in a
conversation, I'll call back.

Contact

Process

What does that mean in concrete terms?

Step 1: Get to know each other without any obligation

We get to know each other in a 30-minute phone call and discuss what expectations you have for the coaching and what our cooperation could look like in concrete terms. You ask all the questions that are on your mind. I am also happy to explain in more detail how I work and we discuss the conditions.

Afterwards, you will take your time to consider whether I am the right person to help you to handle your topics.

Step 2: Get started

Once you have decided, we will arrange a first coaching appointment, either in my coaching space at Brüsseler Platz in Cologne or online via Zoom or MS Teams. For the first appointment, I estimate at least 90 minutes, so that we have enough time to clarify expectations and can already get into your topic.

We discuss the length and frequency of the follow-up appointments together. My aim is to help you effectively in a solution-oriented manner. Of course, you are free to opt out of the process at any time.

Step 3: Implement

In the coaching sessions, we analyze your issues, activate your resources and get you into action. Outside of the sessions with me, there is always a lot going on, both unconsciously in your head and in your behavior.

By deciding to seek support for an issue, you have already taken the first and most difficult step.

What my clients say:

Nikola draws on scientifically sound methods and techniques and gives very pragmatic, valuable tips and recommendations that can be implemented very well and immediately in everyday (professional) life. I have come to appreciate Nikola not only as a coach and good listener, but also as a person. Any time again.

Professor at the University of Cologne

Nikola was my coach in a virtual leadership development program. What I learned in the program I can use everywhere. Before I did not tell anybody openly what I thought because in our culture this is not common but now I provide open and honest feedback and it is highly appreciated because people know what is expected from them. Thank you Nikola for helping me realize and putting into practice that competence.

Adi Mohsin

Head of Regulatory Affairs Middle East – North Africa, Bayer Pharmaceuticals

Nikola helped us to bond as a team and to strengthen and develop our cooperation on a virtual level during Corona. She gave us a lot of creative and helpful suggestions, which we also tried out and practiced directly with her. Between the sessions, we had the opportunity to try out what we had learned and then reflect together. Nikola was completely responsive to us and our needs and shared other helpful material even after our sessions were over. Nikola works very professionally, brings a huge wealth of experience and directly understands the concerns and expectations. Therefore, I would recommend her without reservation.

Carola Becker

Group Leader, Flexible Operational Team, Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

Nikola has designed various global leadership development and coaching programs for Covestro and conducted them virtually in English. She works in a very structured and goal-oriented manner and radiates an admirable calmness. She is able to quickly build trust and accompany people from different cultures with a great deal of sensitivity in change and development processes. She knows what she is doing and is an expert in the field of virtual and intercultural team leadership. Even today, I think about what I have learned and apply it intuitively when, for example, I conduct online events or have to cope with difficult situations. The cooperation with Nikola is always profitable, practical and sustainable, both professionally and personally. I recommend her unreservedly.

Kristian Brandt

Global Process Owner Sales, Covestro AG

Female professor at the University of Cologne

Nikola's empathetic and competent coaching left a lasting impression on me. Every session was characterized by support and encouragement, which enabled me to reorient myself in a difficult professional situation. Thank you very much, dear Nikola – I would come back anytime.

I suffered from severe stress symptoms, which had a very negative effect on my well-being and sleep. In our coaching sessions, Nikola and I worked together on stress management, ensuring a work-life balance and, in particular, mindfulness. With her open and positive manner as well as numerous solution-oriented aids, materials and tips, I experienced measurable success after just a few sessions and was able to eliminate my negative symptoms through certain routines. I am very happy to have taken this path and can warmly recommend Nikola’s coaching.

Thorsten K.

Senior Manager, Management Consulting

Nikola was our virtual leadership and team building coach over a period of two years. Through her coaching the effectiveness of communication, our feedback culture and the level of trust increased tremendously among team members and leaders (located in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Germany). This had a measurable and highly positive effect on project results. Nikola's style is authentic, structured and human. Thank you for our trustful exchanges and for asking the right questions, Nikola!

Tiisetso Mary Piet

Deputy Program Manager, Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Lesotho

Nikola worked as a freelance coach in our leadership development program BayWay for ten years and played a major role in developing and regularly implementing the program. The aim was to learn how to lead virtual and intercultural teams successfully in times of change and increasing complexity. The feedback from participants from over twenty nations regarding her coaching services was always outstanding. Her particular strength was to create a trusting framework in both virtual one-to-one and group settings, which enabled sustainable personal development as well as interactive exchange and peer learning. We thank Nikola for her great commitment and the wonderful cooperation.

Kathrin Girten

Global Programme Owner BayWay until 2018, Bayer AG

Nikola's ability to empathetically and competently put herself in my shoes during the professional coaching and to accompany me on my journey has left a lasting positive impression on me. Each session was not only purposeful, but also characterized by an atmosphere of support and encouragement that enabled me to further develop my professional goals and strengthen my self-confidence. Thank you, dear Nikola.