Michael Trautmann

Background

About Michael Trautmann

What do you want to be when you grow up? As a kid, I never had a clear answer- A teacher- An architect- A photographer- A pilot? A doctor- A professional athlete- Something with advertising- Or maybe a boyband member? I had too many ideas and an unstoppable curiosity to try new things. When I earned my PhD in 1993 on ecological marketing, I was ahead of my time. The topic? Sustainability and business. The response? Silence. Back then, no one really cared.(Today, we might call that "early adopter struggles.") But here’s what I learned: Ideas that come too early aren’t bad ideas – they just need the right time and the right people to bring them to life. That’s where I come in. I thrive on sparking ideas, inspiring others, and igniting momentum. But I also know my limits: I always need great people around me to turn those sparks into something lasting and impactful. With my focus on the Future of Work – or as we call it in Germany, New Work – the circle has closed for me. Frithjof Bergmann’s original concept of New Work was always about more than just meaningful work; it also embraced creativity, sustainability, and a vision for a better world. Maybe my PhD wasn’t ahead of its time – maybe it was just the beginning of a very long trend. Today, my mission is clear: to inspire and encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and grow – through podcasts, books, seminars, and sometimes even over a cup of coffee and a good conversation. My journey, in a few highlights: From early leadership roles (Manager and Recruiting Director at Bossard Consultants, Founding President at Springer & Jacoby International, Global Chief Marketing Officer of AUDI AG) to exploring new industries and possibilities. Founder: kempertrautmann (Global Newcomer Agency 2009), thjnk (Agency of the Year 2017), HYROX (Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Companies 2024), New Work Masterskills - NWMS GmbH First Business Angel: Early investor in Appinio, one of my best decisions ever. Podcast Host: On the Way to New Work, Zoomer meets Boomer, Heartbeat. Author: On the Way to New Work – Wenn Arbeit zu etwas wird, was Menschen stärkt. More to come. Husband and proud father of two grown-up sons (29 & 26). I guess I’m still that kid with too many ideas, always wondering what to try next. But maybe that’s my greatest strength – and the reason I’m so passionate about helping others discover their own. Or as the wonderful Ragnhild Struss put it: “You are a mixture of Peter Pan and Yoda”. Ok, a big pair of shoes, but I like it.