A farewell after 26 years: The courage to start anew

There are moments in life that force us to pause - moments when we look back on our journey so far. Today is one of those moments for me. After 26 years in a company that has become a big part of my life, I am saying goodbye to make room for something new. It is a farewell that is associated with many emotions, because what once began as a short-term internship developed into a journey full of valuable experiences, challenges and personal growth.

When I look back on this time, I see that it was not the professional titles or the projects themselves that had the greatest impact on me. Rather, it was the people who accompanied me on this path. Teams with whom I spent countless hours, who mastered the challenges of everyday work together and who, especially in difficult times like the pandemic, showed what is possible when you stick together.

This time has made it clear to me that work is less about individual success and more about what you achieve together. Especially in recent years, when the world has been turned upside down, we have proven that there is nothing more important than human solidarity. Projects that initially seemed impossible were made possible through our collective effort and determination. I remember many moments when we found solutions together that no one would have believed in at first. I will always carry these experiences in my heart.

In addition to the shared successes, it was also the people I met on my professional path who had a particular influence on me. Some of them helped me develop my own leadership style through advice and conversations. They taught me that leadership does not mean having everything under your own control or always knowing the right answers. Rather, it is about being open to other people's perspectives, listening and building trust.

people always come first - because without their passion, commitment and dedication, success would not be possible

An important lesson that I have learned time and time again is the realization that being a leader is not just about successfully implementing projects. Rather, people always come first - because without their passion, commitment and dedication, success would not be possible. Leadership means taking responsibility for the people behind the projects, listening to them and growing together with them.

It was often these moments of reflection that helped me grow not only professionally but also personally. Making decisions, especially in challenging times, requires courage - the courage to admit mistakes, to question yourself and others, and sometimes the courage to pause and not rush into anything. This courage has taught me that true strength lies in the ability to remain calm in difficult times and yet move forward with determination.

Most things remain to be done

But now it's time to look forward. A quote from Ingvar Kamprad, the company's founder, has stayed with me throughout my career: "Most things remain to be done." For me, that couldn't be more true. Saying goodbye to a long-standing career doesn't mean the end, but rather a new beginning. It's the opportunity to take everything I've learned with me and apply it to new adventures. It reminds me that the journey never really ends - there are always new paths to be discovered, new goals to be achieved, and new experiences to be had.

The thought that so much still lies ahead of me fills me with a deep sense of anticipation. Farewells are often difficult, especially when they affect so many years of your life. But they also open the door to new possibilities, to paths that you may not have even imagined. It's about looking to the future with curiosity and openness, always ready to embrace the unknown and continue to develop.

I'm looking forward to what the future holds and I warmly invite you to walk this path with me. If you have any thoughts, questions or comments, please leave them in the comments. Let's talk - I'm curious to hear your perspectives!

This blog post invites you to explore the topic of farewell and new beginnings. It shows that the end of one chapter is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new one. It is an encouragement to be open to change and to have the courage to take new paths - especially in mid-life, when many of us think that our path is already set. Change offers opportunities to reinvent yourself and experience life in all its fullness.

IKEA Ludwigsburg 1998