Susann Remke
My Profile
Executive Coaching & Leadership Sparring
Why do I coach? Because I am genuinely interested in people. I want to know their stories. I want to know why they do what they do. That’s why - in my first career - I became a journalist. I liked looking at issues from an objective viewpoint, drilling down to the core through all the noise. After an MA in literature and journalism school, I started out as a reporter in Germany but soon became a US correspondent in New York City, bureau chief, and eventually vice president. I reported on 9/11 on the ground at the World Trade Center, I waded through the knee-deep brackish waters of hurricane Sandy while beach houses around me were burning, and my photographer and I got chased by an angry mob of Trump supporters for doing our work, not only once. I had a blast!
Why do I spar? Because I am genuinely interested in solving complex issues. I enjoy intensive and unbiased discussions to bounce off an idea, improve a concept, or develop a strategy that would otherwise not have been created by the leader alone. That's why for my second career, I switched continents and fields, and became responsible for external communications at a leading European digital platform in Berlin, first as Head, then Director. Here, I learned to be laser-focused on customer needs, be extremely strategy-driven, and to build and lead teams in a volatile, ever changing environment from exponential growth to operating in a worldwide pandemic. I consulted and sparred with MBs, SVPs & VPs and collaborated with my fellow Heads and Directors on issues far beyond corporate communications, from diversity & inclusion, to sustainability, logistics, fashion, or women in leadership. It was a ride like no other on a rocket ship!
To put it into a nutshell, I have vast personal and leadership experience in resilience, transitions and transformation.
I have coached, consulted and sparred with leaders, high-potentials and teams for more than 15 years before "officially" becoming an academically trained executive coach (alma mater: Henley Business School) and an accredited member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) who adheres to their code of ethics. My mission is to re-imagine leadership together with my clients - to make careers better for everyone.
One of the many things that sets me apart as an executive coach & leadership sparring partner is my own broad experience as a leader. I have extensive first-hand experience of what it is like to work with the dynamic complexities and pressures faced by senior leaders. I have walked the talk and am known for my no bullshit, solution-oriented approach on eye-level, strategic business sense, and interpersonal relationship skills.
My areas of coaching/consulting/sparring expertise include: Executive, Leadership, Women in Leadership, High Potential Coaching, Transition Coaching, Self-leadership Coaching and Communication Consulting. I coach in German and/or English. In Berlin, Mallorca or digitally.
And last but not least, I have an ulterior motive in coaching: I firmly believe, if we focus on being really happy in whatever we are doing, all the rest will follow. And so, I hope you are interested in happy people as well. If not, I may not be the right coach for you.
