What happens when a father and son discuss leadership together?

What happens when decades of business experience meet the perspective of a generation entering the world of work with AI and new expectations of employment?

At the Work Culture Festival, held as part of ORGATEC, Michael and Oskar Trautmann demonstrated just how fruitful this exchange can be. In conversation with presenter Johannes Füß from the ‘Level Up’ podcast, they discussed their differing experiences, shared challenges and the question of what constitutes good leadership today.

Intergenerational dialogue as an opportunity for better leadership

As hosts of their podcast ‘Zoomer meets Boomer’, Michael and Oskar Trautmann are well-practised in discussing work, careers and responsibility with one another. Michael contributes his experience as an entrepreneur, leader and New Work thought leader. Oskar adds the perspective of a younger generation, bringing with it different ways of learning, technological possibilities and expectations regarding collaboration.

It is precisely these differing perspectives that opened up space for key leadership questions: How is trust built? How can expectations be clarified? And how can feedback be effectively exchanged between people who communicate and work differently?

The conversation highlighted just how much value there is in listening to one another. Experience provides guidance, whilst younger perspectives challenge familiar routines. Where the two come together, teams can learn from one another and further develop their collaboration. Leadership that takes account of different generations begins by taking people’s individual needs seriously.

Leadership in the AI age remains a daily practice

Hybrid working and artificial intelligence are transforming processes, roles and the pace of learning. Trust, psychological safety and a constructive approach to feedback remain key priorities. Leaders must provide guidance whilst also enabling teams to ask questions, address uncertainties and try out new approaches.

Self-leadership is also part of this: anyone who takes responsibility for others must reflect on their own expectations, habits and behaviours. Good leadership develops through conscious action, honest dialogue and a willingness to learn and grow oneself.

Michael and Oskar Trautmann explore these ideas in greater depth in their joint book:

„Wir müssen über Führung reden: Wie KI, New Work und generationengerechte Zusammenarbeit die Zukunft der Arbeit verändern“.

– We Need to Talk About Leadership: How AI, New Work and Intergenerational Collaboration Are Changing the Future of Work. – Available in German only

The book combines personal stories and analyses with practical tools: from reflection questions and checklists to team templates and a 10-week plan. Key topics include self-leadership, feedback, hybrid collaboration, the responsible use of AI and reverse mentoring.

One thing to take away from the discussion at the Work Culture Festival is an invitation: to talk to one another more often about leadership and to use different perspectives as an opportunity to learn. Michael and Oskar Trautmann demonstrated how this dialogue can succeed – openly, personally and with a shared commitment to improving collaboration.

Oskar & Michael Trautmann can be booked both individually and as a duo for panel discussions and keynote speeches. Please feel free to contact our team: +49 (0)30 640 777 42 oder [email protected]