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W-focus understands that, for you to decide to work with us, you may be looking for confirmation that you are making a safe choice. To assist you in this process, we have references available for you from managers who would be glad to talk with you.

Art of Asking Questions©

The Art of Asking Questions is the deliberate use of closed, open, and high-end questions, with a focus on replacing closed questions with those that stimulate both the questioner and the respondent to think new thoughts. This approach transforms dialogue into an exchange that generates insight, encourages reflection, and leads to better outcomes for all involved.

Questions are your best friend

Limit yourself to no more than 30% of the airtime in meetings and use that time to ask purposeful questions. Well-chosen questions uncover the heart of an issue, help resolve problems more quickly, and engage others in a way that makes solutions more collaborative and sustainable.

High-End Questions©

High-End Questions explore the deeper meaning behind situations, clarify long-term vision, and prompt profound reflection on opportunities and challenges. They require answers generated by fresh thinking rather than by recalling what is already known.

Coaching Bathtub©

The Coaching Bathtub illustrates that when adopting a coaching management style, the real and perceived effort at the start is greater than simply telling someone what to do. Over time, as the individual learns and understands the task more fully, the manager’s required input drops sharply to brief interventions, making the early investment of effort highly worthwhile.

Manage-Coaching Equilibrium©

An effective manager coaches as much as possible and manages directly only as much as necessary. Coaching builds the skill and will of team members, while direct management is reserved for situations where clear direction is essential. Mastery lies in resisting the impulse to take control when coaching would develop capability, and in stepping in decisively when clarity and guidance are required.

Engage for impact©

Engage for Impact means stepping into a personal or professional situation with a balance of reflection, measured judgement, and courage. It is the readiness to address what needs to be improved, to act on what must be prevented, and to create better outcomes by focusing on the issues that matter most.

Landing the Plane©

Landing the Plane, inspired by safe aviation practice, is about delivering difficult messages early and without hesitation. By providing a clear understanding of the situation at the outset, one leaves space in the conversation to address questions, maintain respect, and reinforce the relationship in the post-feedback discussion.

Energy Management for Corporate Athletes©

Energy Management for Corporate Athletes draws parallels between ambitious professionals working in high-pressure environments and sports athletes performing at peak level. Both require strategies for managing physical, mental, and emotional stamina to sustain reliable performance over time. This approach translates lessons from athletics into practical methods for maintaining consistent high-level output in corporate life.

Personal Flight Envelope©

The Personal Flight Envelope is a visual mapping of your personal energy makers and drainers, plotted against objectives, metrics, and targets. The goal is to achieve a healthy balance, carefully managing energy to support both durable professional achievement and personal well-being.

Personal Flight Envelope Baseline Assessment©

The Personal Flight Envelope Baseline Assessment is a self-evaluation of how you manage manages your personal and professional life hygiene factors on a number of pre-defined axes. It compares your results with a reference group to identify strengths and highlight areas that may require attention to ensure long-term sustainability.

Art of Saying No©

The Art of Saying No is the deliberate act of declining a request while maintaining respect for the person asking. It combines a clear, unambiguous refusal with careful repetition of the chosen words, and a “flaring” technique – redirecting towards an alternative you are willing to offer. This method preserves relationships while ensuring boundaries are respected.

OTO, OTT, ITF©

OTO (Only Touch Once), OTT (One Thing at a Time), and ITF (Important Things First) are three guiding principles for managing time and focus. Together they help eliminate the inefficiency of multitasking and procrastination by encouraging decisive action, single-task focus, and priority-based planning for better output and reduced stress.

Problem-Solving Sequence (PSS)©

The Problem-Solving Sequence is a structured, seven-step process for addressing complex challenges. It begins with defining the problem beyond symptoms, mapping underlying issues in an Issue Tree, and building a Hypothesis Tree of 3–5 potential solution components. It then synthesises strategic and tactical steps, selects an impactful storyline, documents findings using a storyboard, and delivers a compelling narrative to motivate action and generate results.

Turbo-Structuring©

Turbo-Structuring is the skill of quickly identifying the real problem behind a question, clarifying it at the right level of abstraction, and reframing it inclusively. It involves formulating “How can we?” questions that invite collaborative problem solving and building “If… then” hypotheses that lead to actionable solutions.

Strategic DNA©

Strategic DNA represents the core set of strategic and tactical choices that define how an organisation moves from its current state to a desired future. It is created through a structured examination of key dichotomies, helping leaders to understand the consequences of each choice and commit to a coherent strategic direction.

Inner Dialogue is the continuous conversation we have with ourselves, engaging higher executive functions such as planning, problem solving, critical thinking, and self-reflection. It helps us assess facts and perspectives, reflect on our emotions, and make decisions. While it can guide us with clarity and purpose, inner dialogue can also be unhelpful – undermining confidence, cluttering our thoughts with mental noise, or triggering fear-based reactions that limit effective action.

Leadership Style Baseline Assessment©

The Leadership Style Baseline Assessment evaluates both your preferred and judged approaches to leadership in a range of managerial situations. It serves as a preparation tool for training in situational leadership, providing insight into how your current style aligns with different contexts and where you may benefit from adapting your approach.

The unit of management is undivided attention

Effective leadership requires giving the people you wish to lead and influence your complete attention for exactly as long as needed – and no longer. This means making them, in that moment, the only person in your world. By combining full concentration with IPP (Interesting, Personal, and Provocative) communication, leaders can create deeper connections and greater impact.

PPPM to IPP describes the shift from Perfectly Polite, Perfectly Meaningless conversation to dialogue that is Interesting, Personal, and Provocative. This transition creates communication that is memorable, engaging, and impactful, increasing influence in both professional and personal contexts.

Black Belt Presence (BBP)

owned by our partner Katharina Weithaler - PPPM to IPP describes the shift from Perfectly Polite, Perfectly Meaningless conversation to dialogue that is Interesting, Personal, and Provocative. This transition creates communication that is memorable, engaging, and impactful, increasing influence in both professional and personal contexts.

Professional Empathy©

Professional Empathy is the desire and ability to understand what another person is experiencing in a given situation, building a contextual and situational appreciation that strengthens decision-making, leadership, and relationships. It demonstrates value under pressure, across organisational silos, and even when acting against the prevailing direction of the group.

Situational Empathy©

Situational Empathy is the active understanding of another person’s positive or negative emotions by observing or enquiring into the directly relatable circumstances they are facing. It allows for connection and support rooted in the immediate, tangible realities of the other person’s situation.

Contextual Empathy©

Contextual Empathy extends beyond the immediate circumstances to consider a broader, panoramic view of the factors influencing another person’s emotions and actions. It seeks a deeper understanding of the drivers behind doubt, behaviour, and decision-making, enabling more nuanced and effective support.

Political Acumen

Political Acumen is the ability to recognise the power dynamics at play in a given environment and align personal and organisational objectives while mobilising others to support your ideas, concepts, and initiatives. It requires staying true to one’s values while avoiding the pitfalls of internal politics that can divide people into inner circles and outsiders.

Values-based Negotiation©

Values-based Negotiation is the practice of reaching sustainable agreements where resources are limited and ongoing cooperation is essential. It involves defining your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement), striving to “Get to Yes”, and doing so in a way that strengthens relationships for future collaboration.

Without friction, no shine

Without friction, no shine is the principle that personal leadership often emerges in high-stakes, potentially conflictual situations. By recognising these moments and stepping into them with skill, leaders can achieve better outcomes than those currently available while preserving and strengthening personal and professional relationships.

Be careful what you say to yourself, because you are listening!

This reminder highlights the importance of managing your internal dialogue to avoid self-sabotage. Negative self-talk can undermine performance and well-being, while intentional, constructive self-talk can support confidence, focus, and resilience. Attributed to Lisa M. Hayes, it calls for awareness and active control of your inner voice.

W-focus definition of Diversity

Diversity is the mix of differences within a group or organisation, such as culture, religion, life stage, ethnicity, physical appearance, abilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It represents the many ways people differ, without implying how those differences are valued or integrated.

W-focus definition of Inclusion

Inclusion is the practice of creating an environment where the contributions, presence, and perspectives of diverse individuals are valued, respected, and integrated into a coherent whole. It ensures that influence and recognition are not determined solely by the majority, but by the balanced sum of all parts.

CHAOS – Chronic Artificial Organisational Stress – describes the persistent tension found in many modern organisations. It stems from constant shifts in strategy or tactics, ongoing structural changes, and often a competitive internal culture. This sustained stress impairs higher cognitive functions, learning, and retention, ultimately risking organisational failure if left unchecked.

HPP – Hardworking Persistent People – are individuals who create followership through their competence, kindness, and resourcefulness. They consistently go beyond what is required, supporting teams and clients through challenges and delivering results even when no one is watching. Their impact is both transformational and enduring.

Contact

info@w-focus.com

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Phone

Office: + 41 41 740 1617

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www.w-focus.com

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