My leadership journey
My business journey began with a steep learning curve. In my early twenties, still at University, I found myself in a leadership role when we started our own company —right in the middle of a major financial crisis. Building a startup in such turbulent times forced me to develop resilience. I had to make decisions without certainty, adapt quickly, and keep going even when the path wasn’t clear.
As the company grew, so did my responsibilities. I led teams of people who were older and more experienced than I was. That’s when I realized: my academic education had prepared me for many things, but not for leading people.
That realization shaped my work. I began exploring leadership—not just as a skillset but as a way to navigate change, make decisions under pressure, and build teams that can adapt and grow. Along the way, I developed two key principles:
Leadership Literacy – Understanding the fundamentals of what makes leadership effective.
Leadership Futuring – Looking ahead, adapting, and preparing for what’s next
These concepts have guided me through my career, from leading digital service innovation to mentoring leaders on how to thrive in rapidly evolving environments.
My years as a professional athlete also shaped how I approach leadership. Competing at a high level taught me discipline, endurance, and how to push forward after setbacks—lessons that apply just as much to leadership.
I’ve seen leadership at its best—when leaders create clarity and drive change. I’ve also seen what happens when leadership fails—when there’s no vision, no trust, no direction. These experiences reinforced my belief that leadership is not just about making decisions; it’s about creating an environment where people and ideas can grow, even in difficult times.
Today, I help leaders and organizations navigate uncertainty with confidence by combining human-centered learning experiences with Leadership Literacy, Leadership Futuring, and Future Skills development. Through tailored programs and learning journeys, I empower individuals and teams to embrace change, foster innovation, and build resilience in a fast-evolving world.
As a Professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich and at MUC.DAI – Munich Center for Digital Science and Artificial Intelligence, as well as a leadership coach and consultant, I bring together experience and research to create learning experiences that are practical and action-oriented. For me, leadership isn’t just something you study—it’s something you practice every day by facing challenges, learning, and growing.
If you’re looking for a way to lead with clarity and impact, I’d love to work with you to create meaningful change—for yourself, your team, and your organization.
Dr. Tina Weisser
What shaped me....
24.000 hours as an executive
24 years as an entrepreneur
competed in 55 triathlons
50.000 km traveled by bicycle
4.900 diapers changed
766 theoretical models studied
36.000 minutes meditated
written 18.800 post-its
learned new things 16.000 x
7.750 downward facing dogs
lived in 7 cities
Work
My expertise
We are facing growing pressure, increasing tensions, and rapid organizational shifts, including restructurings, which can make it challenging for leaders to maintain a clear, future-oriented perspective.
I help leaders and teams navigate complexity by combining human-centered learning experiences with Leadership Literacy, Leadership Futuring, and Future Skills development. My tailored programs empower individuals and teams to embrace change, drive innovation, and thrive—even in turbulent times.
For me, Leadership Literacy is the foundation—the essential skills and knowledge every leader needs to succeed in dynamic environments. Leadership Futuring, on the other hand, is about preparing for what’s next—helping leaders build a vision for the future, anticipate challenges, and adapt with resilience and creativity.
With these two pillars guiding my work, I design transformative learning journeys that are practical, forward-thinking, and human-centered. These programs spark curiosity, strengthen resilience, and equip leaders with the confidence to navigate uncertainty, all while developing the Future Skills needed for long-term success.
By fostering a culture of growth and development, I support both personal transformation and organizational success. Together, we unlock the potential to embrace change, innovate, and lead with impact – even in times of uncertainty.
Leading Change & Innovation in Uncertain Times

My professional background
- 20+ years of experience in management, innovation, and leadership
- Entrepreneur & startup executive for 8 years, successfully exited in my early 30s
- Professor of Service Design, UX, and Digital Leadership
- Program Lead at the Munich Center for Digital Science & AI (MUC.DAI)
- Lecturer at Munich University of Applied Sciences, educating the next generation of leaders
- Ph.D. in Change Management & Digital Service Innovation, researching how to embed innovation in organizations
- Interdisciplinary background in psychology, design, and engineering (architecture)
- Extensive training in systemic consulting, coaching, and group dynamics (Hephaistos, Rosenkranz, Heidelberg, Consulting Impact)
- Expert in agile work environments and adaptive leadership, applying iterative and human-centered approaches to innovation and transformation
Tina - your mediation of the workshop was really nice to observe. It was expert steering of the discussion without bias and intervention, Big thank you for what we achieved! Hope we get to work with each other in the future, and until then a great week ahead to you! ThanksDaria - Team lead Strategy Frankfurt
The last three months in the leadership lab were fantastic. I just got promoted to a new manager role and feel very well prepared. Thanks for guiding us through the Leadership Lab with your enthusiasm and sharing your personal experiences. Travis, Head of Service Design, Boston
Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. I greatly appreciated the level of deep introspection that you asked from us and I can already see such a difference in how I collaborate with my teams. Wishing you the very best and saying thank you again for the fantastic leadership lab.Kaija, Tech Lead Helsinki
I appreciate that I now have a set of materials to take with me and pull from as I encounter different experiences and grow in my career! - honestly the variety of impulses was one of the most beneficial parts. I especially found the leading myself cockpit and session amazing. I've learned so much.....thanks Tina for your positive energy and support!Pelle, Head of Innovation Uppsala
Thank you so much for this whole journey with you. I'm sure we all can see that you've put in your heart and soul. Yes, and the program is so detailed and clear, despite the complexity of the topic. Thank you so much for this. Amita, Design-lead India
“Finding the center of strength within ourselves is in the long run the best contribution we can make to our fellow men.”
- Rollo May
Writings
Food for Thought
19. März 2024
The Ten „Leading Tech“ Principles
I am a fan of Ray Dalio's principles about work and life. I remember when I first picked up his book and from page one loved his wisdom. The wisdom distilled in those pages…
12. Dezember 2024
The Lifebuoy of Leadership
People often ask me why leadership seems so challenging. I’m quite visual, so I often use simple metaphors to understand and explain things. This morning, while thinking about how…
15. November 2024
Leadership in the Light of Neuroscience
I find the impact of neuroscience on modern leadership concepts particularly fascinating. A great example is the SCARF model by David Rock, which explains social needs and their…
28. Oktober 2024
What If Aristotle Were Your CEO?
When I was younger and struggling through philosophy class, I never would have guessed I’d grow to appreciate ancient wisdom. But today, I find insights in those age-old ideas…
25. September 2024
Why Belonging Matters: Building Teams that Thrive
I’ve seen firsthand how a sense of belonging can transform not only team dynamics but also individual resilience. In this article, I explore Geoffrey Cohen's research, showing how…
14. August 2024
The Leadership Paradox: Ferocious Will Meets Humble Resolve
Authentic leadership isn’t just about being strong—it’s about finding the balance between determination and humility. In this article, I share what sets truly exceptional leaders…
5. Juli 2024
How to embrace the art of being led
Why do some leaders thrive while others struggle? In my experience, one of the secrets lies in mastering the art of being led, which provides profound insights into becoming a…
28. Juni 2024
Make the difference: Tap into the Power from Within
Rosabeth Moss Kanter says, ‚Power fascinates us because it can be both a weapon and a tool. The question isn’t whether power is good or bad, but how it’s used.‘ From my experience…
21. Juni 2024
Power almost always corrupts
Do you know the Cookie-Monster study? The Power Paradox is a concept developed by psychology professor Dacher Keltner, which explores the idea that the very qualities that help…
20. Juni 2024
The Art of Patience in AI: Lessons from Vincent Van Gogh
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." – Vincent Van Gogh. The appeal of quick results in AI development can be overwhelming,…
"Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It’s precisely that simple, and it’s also that difficult”
- Warren Bennis
© 2024 Prof. Dr. Tina Weisser. All rights reserved