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What does it really feel like to run a company? Between self-doubt, success and the longing for the comfort zone, Lynn Warken and Melody Hansen take you on their journey in their podcast Déi gutt Mod. What we learnt in 2023, why 2024 became even more turbulent, and what you can expect next year.
"We've outgrown ourselves this year, now we've had enough growth for the time being. A few months in the comfort zone would be great for us now." Lynn and Melody were more than in agreement on this at the end of 2023. Lynn had taken over as Managing Director that year, we had just finished organising the 75th anniversary of the Lëtzebuerger Journal and there was a lot going on in 2023.
Then came 2024 and with the new year? Right, even more growth. Looking back, it felt like more than ever before. This year, we learnt that running a company has no comfort zone. Waiting for it is futile. The only thing that helps: go with the flow. Acceptance became our guiding principle. One challenge follows the next. There's no point in despairing, it's exhausting to grow, but it's worth it. It really is.
And even though we sometimes wish we had a job as an employee so that we could find that comfort zone again, in the end we always come to the conclusion that it wouldn't make us happy in the long term. However, realising our shared vision for the Journal does. All we have to do is lean back more often and be proud of everything we have already achieved together with our team.
It is a process. There are highs and lows that repeat themselves in an endless loop. It will never stop. But we are getting better at dealing with it. Talking about it helps a lot, understanding feedback and helpful testimonials from you, our listeners, even more. Knowing that we are not alone. That's why we take you on our rollercoaster ride every fortnight in our podcast Déi gutt Mod.
"Looking back, it felt like more than ever before. This year we have learnt that managing a company has no comfort zone. Waiting for it is futile. The only thing that helps: go with the flow."
In our opinion, the best compliment we've ever received? "You're just like me." Because that's exactly what our podcast is about. We want to show that management positions are not magic. We are still the ones who have been passionate about our job for years, now with more leadership responsibility, challenges and creative freedom. We often experience situations for the first time. Then we first have to find out for ourselves how to deal with them. How do we do this and what do we learn in the process? We share this with you twice a month.
The aim is to give you an understanding of how a company is managed and to inspire some of you in the process. Maybe that would be something for you too? If we can do it, then you can too. Or are you already leading a team and questioning yourself more than once? You're not alone. We feel the same way.
We don't hide the downsides either. We have to make decisions that don't please everyone, draw up budgets and resolve conflicts – and we often go home with the feeling that we haven't got anything done today.
Because there are many more exciting perspectives than just ours on the topics of leadership, responsibility and self-reflection, we have recently started welcoming "eng gutt Mod" in our podcast on a regular basis. An exciting exchange that has only just begun. For the coming year, we have compiled a comprehensive list of topics and people with whom we would like to talk about relevant areas such as leadership and empowerment.
That we will continue to grow is certain – as are the uncertainties that come with it. But instead of waiting for the comfort zone, we want to use 2025 to continue learning and sharing: with you, through our podcast and the exciting guests who join us. In doing so, we also want to make our contribution to more parity at management level. And growing together is far more enjoyable than growing alone.
