Leadership: Gert Löhmer from GL Consulting & Interim reveals the 10 most important factors for successful leadership in a dynamic world

Emmerthal.

Gert Löhmer, founder and managing director of GL Consulting & Interim, is convinced that leadership is essential for success and leadership can be learned. As an interim manager for distressed industrial companies, he knows exactly which aspects make a good manager. Here he reveals the ten most important leadership competencies.

Good managers make a significant contribution to the success of a company. With core competencies such as goal orientation, strong communication skills, decision-making ability and empathy, they succeed in balancing the achievement of their company's goals, the innovative progress and the further development of their team, while always setting a good example. In an industry like mechanical engineering, which is heavily influenced by technological advances, competition and global challenges, leadership is of central importance and the demands placed on managers are correspondingly high. Anyone who is not 100 percent committed to their mission and knows what is important will not be able to achieve success with their team. “Leadership begins with the inner attitude: If you want to lead, you have to know why,” explains Gert Löhmer, Managing Director of GL Consulting & Interim. “Without the right motivation, you can achieve a leadership position, but you cannot become a real leader - because leadership is an attitude, not a title.”

“Successful leadership combines clarity, trust and flexibility. These principles are not just theory, but rather tried-and-tested methods that make the difference. A leader determines good corporate culture as an important basis for corporate success,” the expert continues. “The good thing is: you can learn leadership – and you have to.” Gert Löhmer from GL Consulting & Interim knows what he is talking about: As a naval officer with a degree in mechanical engineering, he was able to build up impressive leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of dealing with crisis situations at a young age. His later move into business made it clear how valuable his practical experience from the Navy and the associated ability to make decisions under pressure and solve complex problems were to companies. The fact that Gert Löhmer was able to learn leadership in real, critical situations and with honest feedback is impressively reflected in his comprehensive expertise. From his experience, he can name ten leadership aspects that are particularly important for mechanical engineering companies.

1.Vision and strategy

Leadership begins with a clear vision: A leader must be able to develop a future-oriented image for the company and align it with both short-term and long-term goals. It is then important to communicate and anchor these effectively in the company. Strategies developed together to achieve the goals promote the motivation of everyone involved and increase the quality of the results.

2.Communication

Successful leadership is based on clear and consistent communication at all levels of the company. Especially in mechanical engineering, it is essential that managers communicate complex technical and strategic content in an understandable manner. Through regular exchange, active listening and open dialogue, misunderstandings are avoided and a culture of respect is promoted. Strong communication strengthens trust and employee engagement – ​​both in periods of stability and in times of change.

3.Empowerment and trust

An effective leader develops the potential of his employees by giving them responsibility and freedom to make decisions. This empowerment promotes innovation, increases efficiency and enables quick reactions to challenges. Trust is crucial - it creates a productive work environment and encourages continuous learning by seeing mistakes as opportunities for development.

4. Decision making

A successful leader must be able to make informed decisions. This means analyzing complex information, weighing risks and at the same time remaining able to act in times of uncertainty. Particularly in mechanical engineering, where errors can result in high costs, decision-making requires expertise and strong judgment.

5. Teamwork and collaboration

Teamwork is essential in the mechanical engineering industry, which is often characterized by large projects and interdisciplinary collaboration. It is the manager's job to create an environment in which team members are willing to work with each other, share knowledge and find solutions together. Encouraging cross-departmental collaboration is also crucial to developing innovative solutions and achieving higher productivity.

6. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is an essential leadership competency that makes it possible to recognize, understand and specifically control one's own and others' emotions. Especially in technical mechanical engineering, a manager with high EI can make a significant contribution to creating a respectful and supportive working atmosphere. She recognizes the needs of her employees, defuses conflicts at an early stage and promotes an open, appreciative corporate culture. This not only increases employee satisfaction and loyalty, but also the long-term performance of the company. If you want to lead, you have to like people - a positive view of people is the basic requirement for good leadership

7. Promoting innovation and change management

Innovation is a key driver in engineering, and successful leaders foster a culture that supports creativity and risk-taking. In order to remain competitive, companies must continually develop new approaches and optimize existing processes. This also includes giving your employees the freedom to test ideas and dare to experiment without fear of failure. A true culture of innovation arises when failed attempts are viewed as learning opportunities. Leaders play a key role in this by being open to new technologies and creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to find innovative solutions.

8. Crisis management

True leadership emerges in crisis situations when quick and prudent action is required. Whether economic downturns, technological changes or internal challenges such as production downtimes, a manager must be able to remain calm, quickly analyze the situation and find appropriate solutions. Successful crisis management not only requires quick decisions, but also clear communication and the trust of employees. The ability to confidently lead teams through difficult times and keep the company on track is crucial to long-term success.

9. Talent development

One of the most important tasks of a manager is the systematic development of talent in order to ensure the next generation of motivated and qualified specialists. A good leader creates an environment that promotes continuous learning and allows employees to expand their skills. In addition to transparency and the recognition of successes, innovative approaches such as virtual teams and hybrid working models should also be part of this.

10. Integrity and role model

Integrity is the foundation of successful leadership as it ensures trust, fairness and transparency. A leader with integrity makes decisions in the best interests of the company and employees, without prioritizing personal benefits or short-term profits. It serves as a role model and shapes the corporate culture through ethical behavior and consistent standards. Particularly in mechanical engineering, where compliance, safety regulations and ethical responsibility are essential, integrity strengthens trust and loyalty within the company.

Do you want interim support for the first management level in your industrial or mechanical engineering company or are you already heading towards a crisis and want to avoid it? Then contact Gert Löhmer from GL Consulting & Interim now, make an appointment and benefit from fast, efficient and tailor-made solutions!