Festival der Zukunft16:00 – 16:25 Uhr
Donnerstag, 2. Juli 2026
From Werner von Siemens and Robert Bosch to Steve Jobs and Brian Chesky, as well as German Hidden Champions like Martin Herrenknecht and Berthold Leibinger, a distinct leadership style has shaped successful scale-up companies. Often dismissed by business schools as micromanagement, this approach stands in contrast to leadership models centered on delegation. Instead, these founders remained deeply involved in product development and close to their customers, working hands-on even as their organizations scaled. This session explores "Founders Mode" as an alternative leadership concept – alongside delegation and authoritarian leadership – and highlights its role in times of transformation, crisis, and innovation.