André Lüthi demands: Employees should return to the team, not just the office

On September 17, 2021, the Swiss Management Run will take place, an exclusive platform for sports and exchange with up to 250 Swiss managers. In the run-up to the Run, the Fit for Management symposium offers exciting presentations and discussions. Guest speaker André Lüthi from the Globetrotter Group is already taking our questions.

Mr. Lüthi, you yourself are considered a globetrotter. What travel experience has had the greatest impact on you in your professional life?
André Lüthi: I was shaped by the realization of how to deal with other people. When you travel, you meet other cultures, other religions, other world views - you learn tolerance and respect. In our management world, I often see shortcomings here. We prefer to follow Excel lists and forget about the human factor. I learned that a lot on my travels. The most important learning, however, was to trust people. I think the most important leadership task is to have the right person in the right place and to give them freedom. That means trusting

You say managers should travel more and get out of the office. Why?
André Lüthi: When you travel - and I'm not talking about a vacation in a deck chair - you get to know your limits. Many things turn out differently than planned. You have to think and act flexibly. You learn - of necessity - to trust people. Because if you are traveling in India in a bus that has "slightly broken" brakes, is completely outdated and hopelessly overcrowded, then you will have to trust the driver. Respecting other people and knowing your own limits: These are the qualities that make a good manager.

Now the pandemic has taken away our freedoms and mobility in many ways. What lessons do you draw from Corona?
André Lüthi: It's the biggest crisis the world's tourism has ever experienced. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, although this tunnel is damn long. Since March 14, 2020, I have often been pushed to my limits. We knew we were coming out of the storm with our ship damaged and with losses, but we know we're not capsizing. We had 78 percent losses in 2020 and had to cut from 450 employees to 280 today. There were many debates - including emotional ones - with my 13 CEOs. It took a lot out of all of us. But similar to traveling, I knew that somehow it would continue. We all grew from it.

What was your lifeline?
André Lüthi: In Switzerland, we were really lucky. What other country has paid out covid aid, paid compensation and initiated hardship programs so quickly and unbureaucratically? When I look at what is currently happening in Peru, Vietnam and the like, where people have nothing and receive no support from the state, then we are here in the promised land. We have it damn good in Switzerland and should finally stop complaining and also say thank you in federal Bern.

Keyword home office. How does a manager deal responsibly with his employees in these times?
André Lüthi: Apart from the official requirements that have to be met, there is no substitute for personal contact. I am a clear advocate of a return to the office. But not because of the office, but because of the people. As a manager, you have to create an environment that employees like to come back to - namely the team. Of course, thanks to Corona, there are more flexible working options. Where it makes sense, I'm completely in favor of it. But there has to be a return to people.

What do you think the "new normal" will look like? Will there be a return to pre-Corona? What remains, what changes?
André Lüthi: Before Corona, we partly had the problem of overtourism. Now the opposite has occurred. I would be satisfied if there was a middle ground. My appeal is: travel more consciously! Travel should become a school of life, a personality development. Therefore it cannot take place at dumping prices. Therefore away from ten cheap short trips over the weekend to selected and for it longer journeys, in which one gets to know country and people. Employers would also have to become more flexible here. I hope that the attitude towards this will change somewhat after Corona.

More info at: https://www.management-run.ch/