Encourage & Challenge

The core of my journey, from starting out at Deutsche Bank to my current roles on supervisory and corporate boards, has always revolved around "encourage & challenge." It's a philosophy that I've found to be the true engine of growth, whether for individuals or entire organizations.

I remember it vividly: my apprenticeship, my studies in business informatics at the University of Mannheim. Professor Dr. -Ing. Effelsberg certainly gave me a "hard time" with my first big paper, but that tough love was the very essence of learning. It taught me that real progress comes from being pushed beyond your comfort zone, not from an easy path. This principle carried into my early management days. I was given tough assignments, but when I delivered—projects, new products—promotions followed swiftly. The challenge fueled my drive, and the trust placed in me was the greatest encouragement.

Even now, looking back and looking forward from the boardroom, my belief remains unshaken: "encourage & challenge" is the most effective way to foster growth. It's about creating an environment where people are supported in their ambitions but also pushed to innovate, to take calculated risks, and to continually strive for more. It's how we evolve, both personally and professionally.

#leadership #career #growth 

#SundayThoughts 

FrankSchwab.de

Throughout history, the flicker and warmth of a fireplace served as humanity's original gathering place. As dusk descended, families and communities gravitated towards its comforting glow, drawn by the promise of shared stories, camaraderie, and a brief respite from the day's toil. It was a space for connection, where oral traditions thrived, wisdom was passed down, and the bonds of kinship were strengthened. The crackle of burning wood and the dancing flames were the backdrop for countless evenings of socializing, planning, and simply being together in a shared, intimate space. The fireplace was not just a source of heat; it was the heart of the home, a symbol of community and collective life.

Fast forward to the digital era, and the communal focal point has undergone a curious transformation. The ambient glow of a fire has been replaced by the urgent, digital luminescence of screens. No longer do we huddle for warmth or a good yarn; instead, the magnetic pull now emanates from the ubiquitous charging hub. In cafes, airports, and even our own homes, the scramble for an available outlet is a familiar scene. When our smartphones, tablets, and laptops declare their dwindling energy, we instinctively gravitate towards these charging hubs, a new kind of gathering around a shared necessity. The "charging hub" has become the contemporary hearth, not for storytelling, but for the silent, individual pursuit of reconnection to the digital world. Our conversations are often punctuated by the frantic search for a charging cable, and the shared experience is less about direct interaction and more about the collective, unspoken anxiety of a dying battery. This shift from the communal warmth of the fireplace to the solitary glow of a charging device marks a profound change in how we connect, or perhaps, how we increasingly disconnect in our digital world.

Yet, even in this digitally tethered existence, a new form of connection emerges. Once fully charged, and if we're lucky, the charging hub can foster a fresh sense of community. Instead of retreating into individual digital cocoons, we sometimes find ourselves sharing screens and experiences, often through shared games. Whether it's a quick round of Finto or another collaborative mobile game, the act of playing together brings people back into a shared space, albeit a virtual one. Laughter, strategizing, and friendly competition once again become the glue that binds us, even if the "fire" around which we gather is now the glow of our devices, powered by the very hubs we just clustered around.

#digitaltransformation 

#SundayThoughts 

FrankSchwab.de

That day in Faro, Portugal, back in 2004, remains vivid. My first professional presentation. Standing before an audience at the European Banking Forum, tasked with unraveling the "Future of Retail Banking," I was a potent cocktail of exhilaration and sheer terror. The memory of the final slide clicking into place, followed by polite applause, remains a small but significant victory etched in my mind. It was the opening note of a symphony I couldn't yet imagine.

Now, two decades and over two hundred presentations later, the echo of those early nerves has long since faded, replaced by a quiet confidence born of experience. My journey through more than twenty countries across five continents, sharing insights and ideas, has yielded a harvest richer than I could have possibly foreseen. The stages I've stood upon have become unexpected classrooms, the audiences, diverse and discerning teachers.

Beyond the immediate act of presenting, a remarkable tapestry of connections has been woven. I've had the privilege of forging business friendships with some of the most respected voices in the banking world, individuals whose mastery of their craft continues to inspire me. Encounters with politicians, prominent business figures, and leading academics have broadened my understanding of the world in profound ways, each conversation a unique lesson etched into my perspective.

Perhaps the most surprising and significant outcome of this journey has been the unexpected doors that have swung open. Simply being present, actively engaging in the discourse of these conferences, has led to opportunities I never actively sought. Among these, eight years serving on a risk advisory board in Amsterdam, strategic consultancy roles in Oslo, and even a CEO position in Munich stand out as examples to the power of connection and the credibility built through consistent engagement. These weren't roles I applied for in the traditional sense; they emerged organically from the relationships cultivated and the expertise shared on those very stages.

Looking back, that nervous young professional in Faro could never have envisioned the trajectory that single presentation would set in motion. It wasn't just about conveying information; it was about building bridges, fostering understanding, and ultimately, creating opportunities. The achievements and benefits accumulated over these many years are more than just professional milestones; they are a powerful demonstration of the enduring impact of communication and the unforeseen rewards of sharing your perspective.

#speaker #speaking #frankschwab #Megatrends #banking #innovation 

#SundayThoughts

FrankSchwab.de

It's getting wild how many people jump in with "amazing" crypto or investment advice these days. But honestly, it often feels like a house of cards. When I try to dig deeper, to understand the why behind their recommendations, the foundation just isn't solid. It makes me even more convinced that you absolutely have to practice what you preach.

For me, it's a gut feeling that comes from basic logic. You wouldn't let someone build your home if they'd never picked up a tool, would you? Or trust a teacher who's just skimming the textbook themselves? The same goes for something as crucial as my financial future. If someone wants to guide me on navigating the complexities of investments or the banking world, I need to see that they've successfully navigated it themselves. Show me you've actually grown your own money, made smart choices, and learned from the ups and downs. That's the kind of lived experience that earns my trust and makes advice truly valuable. Otherwise, it just feels like empty talk.

#investments #money #advice 

#SundayThoughts 

I've been fascinated by the concept of money for the past 37 years, ever since I began my apprenticeship at Deutsche Bank.

Beyond health, time is life's most valuable resource. Money can buy you time, and to some extent, even health. These are the primary reasons for my interest in money. The more money you possess, the more you can prioritize your life and use your time as you choose.

And I'm deeply interested in the future, because that's where I will spend the rest of my life. This interest drove me to write a book titled 'Tomorrow's Money.'

'Tomorrow's Money' is lighter than paper, faster than PayPal, cheaper than Visa, rarer than gold, and as secure as Fort Knox.

In 19 chapters, I share my views, insights, and beliefs about tomorrow's money, which, in essence, is digital and comes with new features like programmability.

If you haven't encountered this topic yet, my book might be a good recommendation for your summer reading.

It's available in both English and German.

🇬🇧 https://amzn.to/3r97JiG

🇩🇪 https://amzn.to/3mKNyEG

#tomorrowsmoney #crypto #blockchain #bitcoin 

#SundayThoughts 

FrankSchwab.de