Sabine Wojcieszak
Sabine Wojcieszak lives in northern Germany.
She tells us that, “I am 55 years old, and my two children are grown up.
In 2003, I started working as a freelancer. In 2016, my husband and I founded our company, getNext IT, together. We combined our different knowledge and perspectives to help companies and teams master digital and agile transformation. My husband is a software developer, and I have always worked with humans to help them learn, grow and outperform. Coaching is one of the most valuable aspects when working with professionals.
In 2013, I decided to use public speaking as my marketing tool for myself and my services. Four years ago, a friend asked me if I could do speaker coaching: “You are a great speaker and a great coach.”
Now, I am helping other speakers craft great stories, give presentations, and give convincing performances.
I see many people with incredible stories to share, but they are either unaware of that or afraid to enter the light. Women often feel they are not good enough, but we all deserve more visibility.”
What were your early years like? Could you share a bit about your life before you began your coaching journey?
In my teenage years, I played many sports. I was a track and field athlete, and my father was my coach. I grew up understanding the importance of having a coach and using feedback as a source of growth. I also learned that training, practicing, and staying focused are helpful in making your dreams come true. Continuous improvement on the one and dealing with throwbacks were also part of this journey. Having a good coach at my side was crucial.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
Before I decided to be a freelancer, I worked for a company. But it was obvious that I wouldn’t be able to do my job in that company as expected due to layoffs. I was creating people development programs. But we had to let go of so many people that the rest of the employees would not have time to learn. I was not afraid of getting fired, but I was unwilling to take another role within the company. I started to think about starting my own business. The moment I realised I could do it was a game changer. Why? I realised that I have so much knowledge and skills that I am independent of others. And that made me stronger than ever.
Everyone faces unique challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. The most valuable lessons often come from understanding how these challenges are managed. Could you share the difficulties you’ve encountered and the strategies you’ve used to cope with them?
Later in this journey, I realised that not having a university degree was a problem in Germany for consulting and coaching, especially when I started working with agile approaches. This was the time when I decided to start speaking at international conferences. With this credibility, my visibility and my acceptance grew—even in Germany.
What impact do you feel you have been able to create with your work so far and how would you want to grow in the next few years?
I think I have helped many people outperform – on the conference stages and in daily work. They tell me that they have inspired them and that working with them positively impacts them. It is always amazing when a customer tells me: “There was this situation. And I thought: what would Sabine ask me?”
In the future, I want to help more people to gain more visibility through public speaking, especially women.
Would you like to share with our aspiring young women entrepreneurs the changes you would like to see in the world if given the opportunity?
I would like to see a better understanding of diverse perspectives and more joy and happiness. The times of “work harder and professionals always need to be serious without having fun” should belong to history. We need to understand that happiness and fun are prerequisites for our success. We, as entrepreneurs, can be the best showcases for that. Work is an integral part of our lives, so having fun and being happy with it is a must. Smiling, bringing humour into business and showing appreciation for others is incredibly valuable,
Women are increasingly becoming a powerful presence in workplaces worldwide, breaking through glass ceilings and reaching top leadership positions. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
Leadership is an important skill. You are not a better leader just because you are a woman. But if you can bring in your skills and strengths and the female approach, this helps to create more diversity and, with this, a better understanding. Diversity is one key aspect of finding better solutions in our complex world. Therefore, we also need more diverse leaders. I always recommend being authentic in this. Only women who try not to mimic male leaders will become great leaders. If we want to change the world, we must be the change we want to see!
Your grit and determination are making a significant impact, serving as an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs. What message would you like to share with our young women leaders and audience reading this?
Find your purpose! Why are you doing this? Celebrate the small wins and successes. Use failures as a fantastic source of learning! You never know if this new opportunity will help unless you try it. Chances will multiply when you take them. Be aware of all your achievements – this helps when times get tough.