Four minutes that change everything – A plea for more courage and humanity
- Tatjana Michaelis
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Sometimes it feels like walking a tightrope, doesn't it? On the one hand, there's business, to-do lists, ambitions. On the other, there's family, love, the responsibilities of motherhood. And we're caught in the middle, trying to maintain balance and not let either side down.
It was with this feeling in my heart that I recently stood on a stage in Dresden. Four minutes to convey a message to the world that is so important to me as a mother and entrepreneur.
The result? An Excellence Award at the International Speaker Slam. A moment that touched me deeply. But this award is more than a personal honor. It is a signal. A signal that it is time to rethink the world of work—to make it more human, more courageous, and more compassionate.
When life gets in the way
As a working mom, I know the ordeal of when personal crises collide with everyday working life. A breakup, a stroke of fate, and suddenly the whole fragile balance is shaken. In moments like these, we need more than just professional strength. We need an environment that catches us.
That's what I talked about. About the need to create a culture in companies where we are seen not only as workers, but as human beings. A culture that allows us to be vulnerable without jeopardizing our careers.
Working together for a new world of work
My wonderful partner Jacqueline Steiner and I have made it our mission to build precisely these bridges. We want to show that success and empathy are not mutually exclusive. That companies that invest in their employees – especially in difficult times – are ultimately the strongest.
This award is proof that our vision is shared. And the invitation to New York for the next Speaker Slam shows that the topic is universal.
An appeal to all mothers
For me, this success is also an appeal to all mothers out there: your experiences, your empathy, your strength, which you demonstrate every day in the balancing act between family and career, are superpowers. Let's use these powers to create a working world in which we can not only survive, but thrive.
What do you think? What support would you have liked to receive from your employer during a crisis? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Tatjana Michaelis
MESOLVIS AG for Mom2MomBusiness
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