The Value Impulse

In this episode, I explain why work as a true calling is far less rare than many people assume — at least according to my long professional experience. But every journey begins with the individual.If people start with themselves, society has a real opportunity to unlock human potential while creating far more fulfilled citizens — people who experience genuine meaning through their work.I explore the core values behind this idea and offer two concrete approaches for developing one’s own path toward a sense of calling.Let us make use of the opportunities that human life offers. This requires contribution from everyone: the individual, the family, the social environment, colleagues, as well as the local community, the country, and the state.Work as calling is a powerful goal — and far more achievable than many believe.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: purpose, work, calling, fulfillment, values, personal development, meaning at work, leadership, vocation, motivation, human potential, career values

I have known Bertram Kasper for almost 15 years, and it has always been a pleasure to work with him successfully over the years.From an early stage, he dedicated his life to social work and has achieved remarkable results both in leadership and entrepreneurship within this field. He worked for more than 36 years at St. Elisabeth Verein, where he also founded the consulting company GISA, which became highly successful in the broader social services market.In addition, he is actively involved in the selection of foster parents, where profilingvalues is applied as part of the process.In recent years, he has also become known through his podcast Gelassen älter werden and is active as a blogger, author, and visionary in his own third stage of life.In this episode, we have an engaging conversation and explore the significance of values in these contexts.A conversation that is both illuminating and encouraging.Keywords: social work, values, aging, later life, leadership, foster care, social impact, personal development, aging well, life transitions, coaching, values in societyWebsite: profilingvalues website

In today’s fast-moving business world, many topics are often mixed together — including generational conflicts, which have become a constant part of public debate.At the moment, one issue stands out in particular: demographic change. Large numbers of people are reaching retirement age, and especially in Germany, a significant transformation is taking place. The strongest birth cohorts in history — the Baby Boomer generation — are gradually leaving the workforce.But which values have shaped this generation, both in professional life and in their private lives? Are the differences compared with younger generations really as large as often claimed?In this episode of Value Impulses, we bring clarity to the Baby Boomer generation and explore the values behind this major social shift.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: baby boomers, work transformation, retirement, demographic change, workforce values, generational change, leadership, work culture, generations, values at work, future of work

In this episode, I explain why values form such a powerful foundation for how we live together on an international level. Having studied political science, economics, and public law, and completed a doctorate in international relations, I am deeply familiar with global and foreign policy dynamics.Building on the ten bipolar value axes introduced in the first part of this topic, I explore where, in my view, we currently stand on the international stage — socially, politically, and economically.One thing can be said in advance: yes, we can still be saved — but it is far from happening automatically.Website: profilingvalues websiteRobert S. Hartman: The Revolution Against War: Amazon.com: The Revolution Against War: Selected Writings on War and Peace: 9781642280401: Hartman, Robert S, Hurst, Clifford G: BücherChristoph Ulrich Vogel: Stabilitätstransfer durch die NATO am Beispiel Polens: Stabilitaetstransfer Durch Die NATO Am Beispiel Polens: Souveraener Staat Und Internationale Organisation ALS Akteure Und Sicherheitsproduzenten Im ... 3 (Studien Zur Internationalen Politik) : Vogel, Christoph Ulrich, Schwarz, Jürgen: Amazon.es: LibrosYuval Noah Harari: Sapiens – eine kurze Geschichte der Menschheit: SAPIENS - Eine kurze Geschichte der Menschheit: Der legendäre Weltbestseller erstmals als günstiges Taschenbuch, aktualisiert und mit neuem Nachwort : Harari, Yuval Noah, Neubauer, Jürgen: Amazon.de: BücherKeywords: global values, international relations, geopolitics, political values, global economy, leadership, value systems, international order, global society, foreign policy, social change, strategic thinking

In this episode, I explain why values form such a powerful foundation for how we live together as a society. Having studied political science, economics, and public law, I am familiar with political structures and also bring a sociological perspective to the discussion.After 15 years as an entrepreneur and 25 years as a consultant, the economic dimension naturally also plays an important role in my analysis.I introduce ten bipolar value axes and use them to explain where, in my view, Germany currently stands socially, politically, and economically.One thing can be said in advance: yes, we can still be saved — but it begins with each individual.Paul Kennedy: The Rise and Fall of The Great Powers: The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers : Kennedy, Paul: Amazon.es: LibrosWebsite: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: values, society, politics, economy, leadership, Germany, social development, value systems, political culture, business ethics, social change, decision making, responsibility, future, value-based thinking

I first met Tamara Dietl in 2012 when I wanted to introduce and recommend profilingvalues to a highly professional group of crisis coaches. Before that presentation, I was somewhat nervous, but I was able to convince Tamara to complete the profilingvalues certification. Since then, we have worked together very successfully and fruitfully for many years.In this episode, we reflect on Tamara’s remarkable professional background, which began in journalism and led to well-known documentaries, including work for Spiegel TV. For many years now, she has worked as a crisis coach and consultant, consistently integrating Viktor Frankl’s approaches to meaning and values into her methodology.Through the cancer illnesses of her husband and mother, she also had to navigate severe personal crises herself. We talk about today’s overlapping and polycrisis realities and how they affect both her clients and mine.It was a highly engaging and insightful conversation with Tamara, who offers listeners many valuable perspectives and thought-provoking insights.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: crisis leadership, resilience, strength, crisis coaching, polycrisis, personal development, values, Viktor Frankl, meaning, leadership psychology, transformation, emotional resilience, coaching, crisis management, profilingvalues

In this episode, I start with the simplest understanding of the term value and move toward a modern interpretation of what values mean in practice. I introduce three dimensions of values and two value spaces, always with a focus on practical application.The episode also highlights why value-based competencies are essential for creating structure, clarity, and direction in life. I explain a simple framework — the value matrix — which has become a personal guide for continuously reflecting on, calibrating, and developing my own values.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: values, personal development, value matrix, self-reflection, orientation, decision making, psychology, value-based leadership, self-awareness, personality development, inner clarity, life structure, mindset, competencies, modern values

In this episode, I interview business consultant, author, and honorary professor Dr. Burkhard Bensmann, with whom I have worked closely and successfully for many years.He combines a deep background in the humanities with decades of consulting experience, creating a unique added value for his clients.His main focus is self-leadership, which he also considers a fundamental building block for a successful life.Based on a broad range of interviews, he has structured the topic into three essential dimensions: self-awareness, self-responsibility, and self-regulation.From this foundation, he developed seven fields — which can be understood as “magnifying lenses” through which self-leadership can be systematically strengthened and developed.During our conversation, he was sitting in Lanzarote while I was in Tenerife — and our shared appreciation for the Canary Islands is only one of many things that connect us.An enlightening conversation full of depth and practical insight.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: self-leadership, self-awareness, self-responsibility, self-regulation, personal development, leadership development

In this episode, we explore the process behind self-leadership and why it matters.Whether for leaders or employees, an essential question is always: where do we begin when learning to lead ourselves?Self-leadership means aligning our actions with our personal values, ways of thinking, and goals.This may sound logical and simple, but in reality we often face the challenge of truly knowing these values and goals well enough to act with clarity.After this episode, you may have a deeper awareness of the different paths through which self-leadership can be developed and strengthened.Because one thing is clear: anyone who cannot lead themselves will not be able to lead others effectively.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: self-leadership, personal leadership, self-awareness, values and self-awareness, leadership development, self-reflection

In this episode, I take a deeper look into hospital operations together with Steffen Köhler, Head of Human Resources at Kliniken Südostbayern.We discuss the specific characteristics of hospital environments, current trends, and how organizations can respond to the enormous challenges they face today.We also reflect on what has been learned from the pandemic and how these experiences continue to shape leadership and organizational thinking.Steffen Köhler is a strong advocate of lean management — an approach that can work particularly well in hospitals.Our conversation also focuses on leadership roles and the development of leaders.As we know, leaders ultimately develop themselves, but organizations must create the best possible conditions to support that process.Hospitals and all connected services require new ways of thinking, and Steffen Köhler represents this mindset in an impressive way.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: healthcare leadership, hospital management, leadership in healthcare, lean management, hospital culture, healthcare transformation

In this episode, we focus on leadership.Today, leadership is not only crucial for the relationship between employees and managers. Poor leadership affects the entire organization, especially when unhealthy leadership behavior leads to absenteeism and high costs.At the same time, a strong leadership style can significantly improve a company’s attractiveness and positioning in the market.And as we will discover in episode 18, leadership also plays an important role in organizations far beyond the direct dynamics of business life.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: leadership, good leadership, leadership impact, employee well-being, leadership culture, sustainable leadership

In this episode, I speak with Swiss entrepreneur Christoph Meier, founder and leader of Outvision.Our conversation moves on two levels: from entrepreneur to entrepreneur, and through my interest in his experience of specializing in online assessments, with which he has achieved remarkable quality, standardization, and scalability in the market.More recently, he has also entered the field of leadership development and shares insights into the project Diagnostic Leadership.It is fascinating to hear how the metaphor of the sea influences his thinking and how clearly he explains what truly matters for top performance — combining playfulness and precision at the same time.An episode full of valuable insights.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: values in leadership, entrepreneurial leadership, leadership development, diagnostic leadership, top performance, value-based leadership

In this episode, we focus on online assessments.Whether companies want to appoint leaders or employees to new roles and responsibilities, assessment remains one of the most effective tools for selection — and for many years it has increasingly taken place in digital formats.The range of available methods is broad, and many providers now operate in the field of psychometric testing.In this episode, we bring more clarity to this landscape and explain the different ways online assessments can be conducted, including their main advantages and limitations.After listening, you will have a clearer understanding of which digital assessment approaches exist and what their respective strengths and weaknesses are.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: online assessments, digital recruitment, psychometric testing, digital hiring, talent assessment, HR technology

Gabriele Trachsel has been a business partner from the very beginning — one of the first to embrace the topic of values and to work continuously with me and profilingvalues until today.Building a business in Switzerland as a Berliner is not only impressive, but also a fascinating story.She brings decades of corporate experience and later took the step into self-employment.Her story is both inspiring and typical at the same time — because it often takes time to sharpen one’s own service offering until it becomes truly successful in the market.Being able to train top executives is something she describes as a great honor.This episode offers valuable insights and is definitely worth listening to.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: executive training, assessment training, top management, leadership coaching, executive development, executive assessment

In this episode, I share personal insights from 25 years of assessment experience and take listeners into the world of evaluating people for specific roles in professional life.After more than 5,000 individual assessments, I offer practical insights into how assessments are conducted and highlight key aspects that matter in professional practice.Using what I call the “double three-step approach,” I explain the interaction with clients from briefing to reporting and, of course, discuss the assessment interview itself, including the relevant preparation and follow-up.Anyone interested in discovering the assessment process in an informative and accessible way will find this episode both insightful and engaging.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: assessment center, talent assessment, leadership assessment, recruitment diagnostics, personnel evaluation, assessment methods

In episode twelve, I explain how the value-metric assessment tool profilingvalues can be successfully integrated into the modern recruitment process.The episode focuses on the changed starting point in today’s hiring landscape as well as the approach behind this innovative method.Scientific validation is an essential prerequisite for its professional use by target groups such as HR professionals, consultants, coaches, and trainers.The episode is rounded off with an explanation of how the method works and with practical application examples.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: profilingvalues, value-based assessment, recruitment innovation, talent diagnostics, HR tools, scientific recruitment

In this episode, I take a historical perspective on the relationship between employers and employees.How did the labor market function in the Middle Ages, during industrialization, and in economically turbulent periods?The past decades have seen significant fluctuations — it has not always been an employer-driven market.Today, however, the situation has changed dramatically, and employees are increasingly seen as holding the stronger position.For companies, this means recognizing the current situation as an opportunity and positioning themselves strategically.There are unexpected possibilities to stand out and gain a real competitive advantage.Those who react too late risk being left behind — as Mikhail Gorbachev once said: Life punishes those who come too late.Keywords: recruitment strategy, future of hiring, employer branding, talent attraction, hiring transformation, labor market changeWebsite: profilingvalues website

Welcome to the tenth episode of our podcast.In this episode, we dive into the world of ethics in business.I discuss the foundations of ethics, morality, and moral conduct, and take a critical look at a survey that shows how leaders apply their moral convictions in everyday business life.Learn why ethics is of crucial importance for organizations and how it helps to build trust and credibility.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: business ethics, ethics in leadership, corporate ethics, ethical leadership, trust in business, business integrity

Title: Responsibility as a Core ValueIn this episode, I focus on the value of responsibility and connect it with my collaboration with Boris Grundl, during which I contributed to the development of the Responsibility Index.Responsibility is a topic that can create both motivation and pressure.I explore different dimensions of responsibility, with particular attention to leadership and self-leadership.Ultimately, responsibility is both a value and an attitude that emerges from within a person and can also be consciously developed.If we could strengthen responsibility in our society and across the world, it would become a significantly better place.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: responsibility in leadership, responsibility as a value, self-leadership, accountability, responsible leadership, value-based leadership

In the eighth episode of the podcast, we focus on a fundamental question: Are values the key to good leadership?I explore how performance pressure affects employee satisfaction and discuss the crucial difference between managers and true leaders — those who keep the well-being of their people in mind, not only in times of crisis.The episode also takes a critical look at today’s society and highlights the urgency of placing social values back at the center of leadership and working life.In addition, I emphasize the transformative power of self-realization in the workplace and its importance for sustainable leadership.Title: Values as a Compass: Are They the Key to Good Leadership?Keywords: values and leadership, value-based leadership, human leadership, employee well-being, authentic leadership, sustainable leadershipWebsite: profilingvalues website

In the seventh episode of the podcast, we explore the essential role that values play in personnel selection.Values guide moral decisions, but they are not only personal — they also shape the DNA of an organization.We dive into the field of value science and show how it can help companies identify and select the right people.You will learn why clearly communicating company values and implementing them in an objective and transparent way is crucial for long-term success.Value-based assessment not only strengthens employee commitment, but also plays a key role in sustainable business success.Finally, the episode invites personal reflection: Which values are most important to you in your life and professional journey?Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: values in hiring, value-based hiring, integrity in leadership, corporate values, recruitment ethics, value science

In this episode, I begin by explaining why Robert S. Hartman deserves our attention today, especially now that the 50th anniversary of his passing has been commemorated.He was far ahead of his time and already addressed some of the most pressing issues facing humanity, working life, and personal fulfillment during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.His work focused on themes such as war and peace, poor work performance, effective collaboration, recognizing and developing human potential, and creating new constructive connections between capital and labor — what we might today describe as employee relationship management.I outline key stages of his life, which can also be explored in greater depth through his fascinating biography (see show notes).I then explain how he developed his theory of values from philosophy and describe how it can be applied in working life today.Finally, I take a look at the Robert S. Hartman Institute, named in his honor, and at the legacy he left behind, including remarkable audio recordings of his value seminars.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: Robert S. Hartman, value science, philosophy of values, human values, value-based leadership, workplace values

In the fifth episode of the podcast, we dive into the world of remote work and explore the realities of this widely discussed and often controversial way of working.I begin with current facts and figures about working from home, including its impact on working hours and everyday work routines.The episode also looks at how remote work affects different groups, such as women, men, younger people, and older employees.Using practical examples, I highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of working from home, summarize the key findings, and share practical tips for working more effectively in a home office environment.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: remote work, home office, hybrid work, workplace flexibility, work-life balance, future of work

In the fourth episode of the podcast, we explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in personnel assessment, especially in comparison with traditional interview methods.I examine the challenges and limitations involved in the interpretation of visual information by AI systems, including misinterpretations and bias.The episode also refers to research findings showing that visual information often reveals very little about a person’s actual personality.Despite the rapid development of AI technology, current knowledge suggests that relying solely on AI in recruitment and personnel selection is not advisable.The most effective approach remains a combination of validated assessment methods and personal conversations in order to understand both the individual and their values more accurately.The episode concludes with a clear summary and a recommendation for further reading.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: AI in recruitment, artificial intelligence in HR, personnel assessment, bias in AI, ethical AI, talent assessment

In the third episode of the podcast, we focus on the growing importance of empathy in today’s working environment.I define the concept of empathy and explain why it should not be confused with sympathy, but rather understood as the conscious ability to recognize and understand the feelings of other people.This episode explores practical ways to strengthen empathy in the workplace, including active listening, training, and the creation of an organizational culture that encourages empathy.Using practical examples, I show how empathy can be applied in both personal and professional contexts.The episode concludes with a call for companies to take concrete steps to strengthen empathy and highlights that this important social skill can be learned and developed.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: empathy at work, workplace empathy, emotional intelligence, leadership empathy, active listening, workplace communication, human-centered leadership, workplace trust

In the second episode of the podcast, we take a deep dive into the challenges of today’s working environment. Using statistics and personal experience, I explore the alarming increase in mental health issues in the workplace.This episode not only provides insight into the problem, but also presents practical solutions, including more flexible working hours, an open communication culture, and workplace health programs.Through a practical example, you will discover how specific measures can positively influence both employee well-being and business success.The episode concludes with motivating encouragement to take small steps toward a more positive workplace culture and offers practical ideas for implementation.Keywords: mental health at work, workplace well-being, healthy work culture, employee mental health, human workplace, psychological safety, leadership culture, work-life balanceWebsite: profilingvalues website

Intuition plays a crucial role in candidate selection. Many executives say, "Sometimes our gut feeling tells us more than all the available information combined." However, the risks of this mindset are often underestimated.Even Daniel Kahneman expressed a critical view of intuitive decision-making. In one of his analyses, he reviewed 200 studies comparing clinical predictions based on subjective impressions with statistical predictions. In around 60% of these studies, algorithms proved to be significantly more accurate than human intuition.Despite these findings, business decisions are still frequently guided by gut feeling. According to a global survey conducted by the auditing firm PwC among more than 1,100 executives worldwide, around two thirds of CEOs were convinced that Big Data is changing the way decisions are made. However, 30 percent of these business leaders still trusted their intuition and personal experience more than hard data when making important strategic decisions.Website: profilingvalues websiteKeywords: intuition in recruiting, gut feeling in hiring, data-driven decisions, leadership decisions, candidate selection, Daniel Kahneman, strategic hiring, evidence-based recruiting

In the first episode of Value Impulse, the podcast about human potential development, I, Uli Vogel, introduce the core idea behind our project. As the founder of profilingvalues, my focus is on how values can create a more human-centered and successful working environment.We will explore key topics such as recruitment, talent development, leadership competence, and team building. I share insights into my professional journey and explain my passion for values science as well as my belief in the uniqueness of every individual.The goal is to improve effectiveness and mental well-being in professional life.This podcast features monologues, expert interviews, and inspiring conversations about intuition, mental health, integrity, and human development.Join this journey and discover untapped potential together with us.Tags:Value Impulse, human potential development, Uli Vogel, profilingvalues, workplace culture, talent development, leadership, team building, mental health, expert interviews