The shift from management to leadership

Tom Venning is a business trainer, facilitator and coach specializing in B2B Sales, Leadership, and Change. For him, the rise in conversations about leadership and purpose-driven leadership isn't just a trend, but a response to a deeper need of reason and security. But what is leadership, really? Tom Venning defines it simply: “Getting people to do what you want them to do – because they want to do it.” Importantly, this has nothing to do with job titles. Leadership, in his view, isn’t about hierarchy but about influence. 

Resistance, engagement and navigating unpredictability

Change, of course, often brings resistance. But Tom Venning sees resistance not as a problem, but as a signal: “When people say no, it means they’re engaging. They’re drawing a boundary, saying, ‘This matters to me’. That’s far better than a fake Yes.” He encourages leaders to approach resistance with openness. People resist change, he argues, not just because they don’t understand it – but because the current state feels more real and tangible than a vision of the future. One of the simplest tools to change that? Questions. The most powerful thing leaders can do is ask simple, high-quality questions. 

Tom Venning’s own journey is full of unexpected twists – quite literally. Years ago, he started building a sailing boat. It took two decades to finish. “In the end, it became a gift from my younger self. I set off down the Danube and learned to navigate not just water, but unpredictability,” he shared. His lessons: We don’t always need a detailed plan. What we need is a clear sense of why we’re doing something, and the resilience to adapt along the way.

Cultivating curiosity and courage

If there’s one competency Tom believes leaders must strengthen, it’s curiosity. “It’s the gateway to deeper understanding, creativity, and even resilience,” he said. Resilience no longer means returning to the old normal. It’s about staying grounded – even excited– in a world that constantly shifts beneath our feet. For him, good leadership is about respect. It’s about listening, observing, and helping others grow so that together, we can create something bigger than any of us could alone.

“Curiosity is the gateway to deeper understanding, creativity, and even resilience.” - Tom Venning

At Greiner, where transformation is both a challenge and a necessity, these insights couldn’t be more relevant. Our company has existed for over 155 years – and we aim to be here successfully for another 155 years. 

Curious to hear more? Listen to the full episode now! 

In a country like Austria, with a functioning healthcare system and good public infrastructure, one might think that social justice is already well advanced. But Susanne Hamscha takes a more nuanced view: “We see people in our society who have a harder time, who are less privileged – whether in terms of access to education or the labor market. Only when opportunities are truly distributed fairly can we speak of a fair society.“ This is not just a geographical issue, such as Europe, but also concerns structural inequalities within our society. Those who only look at diversity superficially often overlook the deeper causes of inequality – and thus ignore enormous potential.

When people talk about sustainability, many initially think of ecology. But without social sustainability, any environmental strategy remains incomplete. After all, only a society in which people can live healthy, safe lives with equal rights is sustainable in the long term. Companies have an enormous influence on who gets opportunities, who can advance, and who is heard. They decide on working conditions, development opportunities, and corporate culture. Studies show that social sustainability pays off: a diverse and inclusive work environment can substantially contribute to success and profitability as many studies proof. However, this does not happen overnight—since this work is a marathon, not a sprint.

“You always have diversity in companies. How can you use this diversity as a resource in order to do whatever it is you're doing a little bit better?”
– Susanne Hamscha, Managing Partner at factor-D Diversity Consulting

Based on her work with numerous companies, Susanne Hamscha has derived three key recommendations:

1. Focus on inclusion: Instead of just counting diversity, you should create a culture where everyone feels welcome and heard.
2. Holistic view: Creating equal opportunities isn't just about HR, but also product development, communication, and leadership.
3. Long-term thinking: The biggest mistake is to put the issue on the back burner in times of crisis. That's precisely when diversity can be part of the solution.

Listen now and learn more about social sustainability in a corporate context!

Tomaso Torriani, speaking from his office in Milan, shared his passion for sustainability and the journey that led him to co-found Movopack with two lifelong friends, Alberto Cisco, and Andrea Cipollone. Movopack's core offering is a catalog of reusable packaging products, both flexible and rigid, designed for e-commerce shipments. Customers receive their orders in Movopack packaging, which can then be folded into a small envelope and returned via any post box in Europe using a prepaid shipping label. This innovative approach not only reduces waste but also ensures that packaging can be reused multiple times, boasting a refurbishment rate of 98 %.

One of the significant milestones for Movopack was securing a deal with Royal Mail, the UK's national postal service. This collaboration allows Movopack to provide efficient return logistics within the UK, enhancing their service's overall efficiency and sustainability. Greiner played a decisive role in this: Tomaso Torriani highlighted the importance of their collaboration with Greiner Innoventures, Greiner’s corporate business angel, which provided crucial funding and support. 

Movopack's future plans are ambitious: The company aims to double its team size within the year and expand its refurbishment facilities across Europe. Tomaso envisions a future where sustainability is not just an option but a standard in e-commerce.

“Be brave and a take risks.”
– Tomaso Torriani, the co-founder and CEO of Movopack

When asked for advice for young entrepreneurs, Tomaso highlighted the importance of understanding the long-term value of their work and ensuring their business models are backed by hard evidence. He encouraged aspiring founders to just start and take risks.

Listen in and learn more about Movopack's innovative approach to packaging!

To understand Andreas Onea’s story, we have to look back to one day that changed his life: Sunday, the 3rd of May 1998. On this day, he and his family were involved in a devastating car accident that injured them severely and resulted in the loss of Andreas Onea’s left arm. Despite these tragic circumstances, he chose to view his life as a gift. “It’s just the perspective that helps me to be thankful and to look at this decisive day in a positive manner,” he reflects. While the accident could have been the end of his dreams, it became the catalyst for his extraordinary journey. 

From an early age, he was determined to defy the limitations others tried to place on him. Swimming was not an obvious path for him —neither of his parents could swim. Yet, rehabilitation sessions introduced him to the sport, and by the age of 12, he became the Austrian national champion in breaststroke. Throughout his career, Onea has accumulated 12 international medals, set a world record, and cemented his status as one of Austria’s top Paralympic athletes.

Onea’s journey has made him a passionate advocate for inclusivity. As a public speaker, moderator, and campaign ambassador, he works tirelessly to shift perceptions of disability. We need to remove the barriers that are existing – but we have to acknowledge that a lot of disabilities are invisible and so are a lot of challenges and the missing accessibility.

“Just be open minded. See the human and the abilities - and not the one thing that is missing or the one disability that is clearly or not clearly there.“

Andreas Onea believes that true change starts with awareness and open conversations. When asked about inclusion in business, he noted that many companies claim they can’t find employees with disabilities, yet their job listings are not accessible. “By having those processes and structures that are not inclusive, we automatically exclude people,” he pointed out. Simple steps, like making job postings machine-readable, can bridge this gap and unlock untapped talent.

His message is clear: inclusion benefits everyone. Companies that employ people with disabilities gain new perspectives, improve product accessibility, and expand their customer base. But more importantly, fostering inclusion creates a society where everyone can thrive.

Elka Xharo, scientist, lecturer, and creator of The Sciency Feminist Instagram channel, is thinking science communication differently by making complex topics accessible and championing diversity in STEM. Speaking with our host Alexander Berth, she shared her thoughts on fake news, accessibility to science, and equality.

For Elka Xharo, science isn’t an ivory tower pursuit but a source of wonder accessible to everyone. One of her goals is to demystify science and highlight its relevance to daily life. Through The Sciency Feminist, Elka Xharo addresses stereotypes, promotes female role models, and counters fake news.

But why did she get into science communication? Her passion for clear, honest communication intensified during the pandemic. Observing the dangerous impact of misinformation, Elka Xharo felt compelled to act. By explaining topics like vaccines in simple, relatable terms, she empowered people to counter misinformation. Emotional and misleading content is amplified by algorithms online and especially on social media. 

“Misinformation spreads far more easily than debunking it because it’s all about emotions.” - Elka Xharo, scientist, lecturer, and @thesciencyfeminist on Instagram

As a woman with roots in Austria and Albania, Elka Xharo is acutely aware of the barriers women and minorities face in science, including unconscious bias. She noted, “Even with identical CVs, a woman with a foreign name is treated differently”. To tackle such biases, Elka Xharo integrates discussions on gender roles into her teaching at the University of Applied Sciences Vienna. These conversations, she says, often spark unexpected reflection, even among initially skeptical students.

Who is telling the truth? How the media shape our society

At the European Forum Alpbach, Alexander Berth, host of Greiner Talks, talked to Nic Newman from the Reuters Institute of Journalism about communication and sustainability, the radically changing media landscape and the role of trust.

Nic Newman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, where he is the lead author of the annual “Digital News Report”. He conducts research on media and technology trends, trust, payment models for news, social media and the impact of artificial intelligence. 

In the interview with Greiner Talks, he shares his impressions of the European Forum Alpbach and delves deeper into the topics that shape journalism and media use today. We are currently living in a time in which social media and algorithmic filter bubbles are increasingly influencing the way we consume information. 

Algorithms are often designed to reinforce existing opinions, making it more difficult to access diverse perspectives. Filter bubbles, the phenomenon whereby we are only shown content that confirms our existing opinions, is real, but not as all-encompassing as is often assumed. This is because there are also algorithms that aim to introduce us to new content. Trust is becoming a crucial factor in the credibility of the media, partly due to technological developments in the field of artificial intelligence. 

One of the central topics was the perception of negative news. Nic Newman explained that many people feel that reporting is too negative, but also pointed out the importance of solution journalism. There are many positive things that are worthy of reporting, whether in climate change or technology. 

During the discussion, Nic Newman also emphasized the great importance of independent journalism for our society. Without it, there can be no informed and functioning democracy. 

“We need independent journalism to hold companies and politicians accountable.” – Nic Newman, Senior Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford 

Despite the difficulties, Newman remains optimistic that journalism can continue to consolidate its role in society. He believes it is particularly important to better understand the audience: “What I have learned is to listen much more and talk less.” 

What do human rights have to do with business? A lot! In the new Greiner Talks episode, Harpreet Kaur, a human rights expert, discusses with Alexander Berth why companies have such an important role to play in this area and why a rethink is needed.

Harpreet Kaur has been working in the field of human rights for over 15 years and is a business and human rights specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In the interview, she emphasizes the increasing responsibility of companies not only to serve their shareholders, but also to bring about positive social change. We need to ask ourselves how companies can exert a positive influence beyond their legal obligations. Harpreet Kaur is convinced that every decision should be scrutinized from a human rights perspective. This means that companies should take responsibility for the impact of their decisions from the factory floor to the boardroom.

“It's not just about compliance policies or checklists, but about looking at every decision through the lens of human dignity.” - Harpreet Kaur, Business and Human Rights Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 

The global challenges faced by companies operating in different cultural and legal contexts are also discussed. Kaur recommends using a global framework, but acting locally at the same time.

Overall, Harpreet Kaur's message is clear: companies play a crucial role in upholding human rights. By taking responsibility, they can not only avoid harm but also actively do good.

In the most recent episode of Greiner Talks, Alexander Berth interviews Andreas Rasche, Professor at Copenhagen Business School, about corporate sustainability and business ethics. A talk about the importance of values within organizations and a pragmatic approach towards sustainability. 

Rasche’s research focuses on corporate sustainability, strategic management and policy making in the light of global challenges. For more than 20 years, he has been analyzing sustainability regulations, voluntary sustainability initiatives, and the paradoxes inherent in sustainability. When asked what constitutes a responsible and sustainable business, Rasche highlights authenticity and the importance of living organizational values. 

“A responsible business is a business that is authentic and that takes its value seriously. Responsibility and sustainability have a lot to do with our value space and that we really need to live these values.”

Addressing the feasibility of achieving sustainability, Rasche advocates for a pragmatic approach, focusing on so-called "weak" sustainability, which accepts some unavoidable emissions and waste while striving for significant overall improvements. He also stresses that good governance is crucial for addressing environmental and social issues effectively: "Without good governance, we cannot really tackle these environmental and social problems."

In conclusion, Rasche advises companies to prioritize their values, which will guide them in implementing sustainability and navigating challenges. “At the very end of the day, it's a values question. It's about what we as an organization believe in and what we believe the purpose of this organization is - and whether we really stand up for this purpose and are willing to deliver.”

***

Greiner Talks is our podcast about transformation. Alexander Berth speaks to experts from around the world to learn about their perspectives on the future of our economy and society.

Katharina Moser is a speaker, moderator, and part of the Inner Development Goals Foundation – and beyond that a passionate advocate for authentic human connections. In our Greiner Talks episode, she shares her insights on emotions, transformation and collaboration.

The Inner Development Goals are a global initiative aimed at fostering essential skills and capacities for tackling humanity's most pressing issues. Rooted in the belief that inner development is integral to creating a more sustainable future, the initiative provides a framework comprising 23 skills across five dimensions: being, thinking, relating, collaborating, and acting. 

In their conversation, Katharina and Alexander delve into the profound impact of inner growth on personal and collective endeavors, shedding light on the Inner Development Goals initiative and its significance in addressing global challenges. It is important to embrace both rational and emotional aspects of human nature. Modern society tends to overlook the profound influence of emotions on behavior and decision-making.

The core belief of the inner development goals is - that through developing these skills - we will be able to create a different type of outcome, a more sustainable future, and better solutions for our challenges. – Katharina Moser

In closing, Katharina Moser offers a powerful message to the world: "Listen to yourself. Be present with yourself." Her words resonate with the essence of inner development, urging individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection.

***

Our podcast series Greiner Talks is all about transformation. Alexander Berth talks to experts from across the world about the prospects and opportunities offered by a sustainable economy and society. 

In our rapidly evolving world, the ability to adapt to new circumstances and environments is essential. But what does change do to our human brain? How are organizations impacted by change? And how can we effectively navigate these challenges?  

In this episode of Greiner Talks, Alexander Berth speaks to Pieter Kruger, a Clinical Psychologist specializing in mental well-being and performance under stress. Kruger, known for his work with elite sports teams and corporate leaders, shares insights into dealing with change while maintaining performance – both at an individual as well as an organizational level.  

Kruger describes the human brain's resistance to change due to its evolutionary design for survival, emphasizing the stress and anxiety caused by uncertainty in today's volatile environment. Practical advice is offered on managing stress, such as diary management, taking breaks from technology, physical movement, and the importance of hydration and diet. Kruger also touches on the importance of discipline and planning to overcome obstacles to personal well-being.

“The more opportunity you create for people to be heard, the more you communicate top down, the better your organization will be when you come to any form of change.” - Pieter Kruger, Clinical Psychologist, Cognacity

At the organizational level, Kruger advises leaders to acknowledge the emotional aspects of change, emphasizing clear communication and inclusion to mitigate resistance. He underscores the importance of providing resources and control to employees to reduce workplace stress.

Greiner Talks is our podcast focusing on sustainability and transformation. Alexander Berth regularly talks to experts from across the world about the prospects and opportunities offered by a sustainable economy and society.