Coaching for leaders in industry and technology
Where KPIs count and pressure is often covered with a smile.
I work with leaders in industrial and technology companies who carry responsibility in international and often matrix-shaped structures. My own leadership experience comes from over twenty years in this environment. As a co-founder of Lichtvision and in international roles at Philips, Zumtobel and Waldmann I held responsibility on several levels, up to the position of Senior Vice President in a listed group. I know the rhythm of key figures, development cycles, product responsibility and international matrix structures. A short briefing is therefore usually enough for me to understand the organisational dynamic and the pressure behind a situation. In coaching I do not prescribe technical, operational or strategic solutions. I work with you on the leadership, role and decision question behind the subject matter.
Leadership in industry has its own rhythm
Leading in industry means deciding with real consequences for people, products, projects and results. Several lines, functions and international interests often act on one situation at the same time. I have led in such structures myself on several levels, from operational responsibility to senior leadership. That experience helps me grasp your context quickly. You do not need to explain the basic logic of a matrix, the meaning of key figures or the tension between technology, market and organisation at length. The professional solution stays with you and the responsible functions.
- Lichtvision, co-founder, since 1997
- Philips, international roles with nine years abroad
- INTEGRATED Innovation & Design, managing director from 2013 to 2015
- Zumtobel group, Senior Vice President, work on a service business model
- Waldmann, leadership responsibility
What leaders from industry and technology bring to me
Making a far-reaching decision and standing behind it. Clarifying their own role in a matrix or group structure. Developing a position of their own between technical, commercial and organisational expectations. Carrying responsibility without losing themselves in the process. Representing difficult topics towards superiors, peers or their own team. And finding a workable way to deal with a lasting load that is increasingly experienced as being overwhelmed and is rarely spoken about openly at this level.
First-hand experience means less explaining
In coaching you do not need to explain your product, your technology or your organisation in full. A short briefing is often enough for me to grasp the typical leadership dynamic. I ask precise questions, structure the situation with you and help you separate roles, interests and decision questions from one another. Which technical, operational or commercial solution is right, you decide with your specialist functions.
Leadership has a level, your industry a context
Within industry and technology I work with different leadership roles, from a first leadership assignment to the managing board.
A documented case shows how such work unfolds in an industrial context.
Case study: Matthias JungA piece from my Insights that fits this field of experience: When the Job Wobbles: Circle of Influence
Questions about the field of industry and technology
- What first-hand leadership experience in industry does Thomas Knoop bring?
- Thomas Knoop carried responsibility in industrial and technology companies for over twenty years. As a co-founder of Lichtvision and in international roles at Philips, Zumtobel and Waldmann he worked on several leadership levels, up to the position of Senior Vice President in a listed group.
- Does Thomas Knoop also advise on technical or operational industry topics?
- No. Thomas Knoop does not prescribe technical, production-related, operational or strategic solutions. His own industry experience helps him understand the leadership and organisational context quickly and reflect with the client on the role, decision and load dynamics behind the subject matter.
- Does coaching help when responsibility tips into lasting overload?
- One focus is on staying clear and able to act under sustained decision pressure, setting priorities and carrying responsibility without losing yourself in the process.
Does my background fit your situation?
In a free thirty-minute orientation call we clarify what your topic is, what support you are looking for, whether coaching makes sense in your situation and whether the collaboration fits both sides. In Berlin in person or online, confidential.
Book an orientation call