Working Out Loud ®
Circle Program

The best entry-level program into Working Out Loud (WOL) methods for companies:

Build a professional network, develop collaboration skills, empower employees to gain more self-efficacy and realize their full potential.

of employees are not satisfied with their jobs (Gallup)

experiencing social isolation in the workplace (Harvard Business Review)

must develop new skills to do their jobs (Gartner)

Intrinsically motivated learning, networking, reflection and personal development

Working Out Loud® (WOL®) stands for transparent, open collaboration in diverse teams and networks and is considered a success strategy and core capability for an increasingly complex future. It promotes an open, learning attitude, personal networking and appreciative communication at eye level. In so-called circles with 3-5 members, the participants work and learn from and with each other in a self-organized and responsible manner. It is precisely this social fitness that is becoming increasingly important in times of digital networking and in techno-social working environments!

Networking, collaboration and communication in the virtual network with the WOL approach brings the highest learning effect and real changes through regular use: one hour meeting in a circle over twelve weeks , plus preparation and follow-up as well as accompanying events . The time investment in 12 weeks is around 30 hours . A WOL Circle also serves as a learning, protective and experimental space. Here, tasks are worked out together with mutual support and feedback.

Then there is a reflection in the circle based on the task and solution. At the end of the twelve weeks, each participant has an individual network of experts around the learning goal they chose at the beginning and can move visibly on digital platforms. The skills acquired can also be transferred to other projects and sustainably increase personal networking, digital and communication skills. In addition, the WOL attitude promotes the ability to innovate: openness, transparency, support and trust in mutual cooperation are essential for every innovation process.

WOL® Circles are easy to integrate into everyday work, as the program 12 weeks but takes a maximum of 2 hours per week with free scheduling Thanks to the learning-by-doing approach, the tools and methods experienced can be used directly in everyday life.

The most important thing in brief

What it's about The focus of the program is on networking, collaboration and communication in the virtual network. Each participant sets their own learning goal. According to the topic, a network of experts inside and outside the company is set up to help achieve the learning goal. At the same time, many helpful skills are developed, new habits and a more open attitude are established.

Target group for the program The program and its content are aimed primarily at people who want to train their social fitness, i.e. who want to learn in a structured way how good relationships can be built at eye level, how interaction primarily works in digital space and what modern learning looks like. In the circles you can experience what modern collaboration in networks can be like.

Minimum number of participants The program only makes sense if a group of at least 15 people from your company takes part. There are no upper limits.

Time frame and effort The program runs for 12 weeks. It is possible to start at any time after consultation and advance planning, but we recommend starting at the beginning of the year or in September so that the
12 weeks run in one go. The participants meet once a week for 60 minutes and invest approximately another hour in preparing these meetings. There will be 4-5 accompanying events, each lasting 1 hour.

Total time investment: 29 hours

Costs We offer attractive WOL® programs and licenses for companies. Write us an email and we will make you an offer that is tailored to you and your requirements.

  • Prof. Julia Schorlemmer, FOM University of Economics & Management

    “WOL increases intrinsic motivation, mental health and important aspects for team collaboration.”

  • Augner, T., Schermuly, CC and Jungmann, F. (2023), “Working Out Loud: an intervention study to test an agile learning method”, Journal of Workplace Learning, In print.

    “Results revealed that WOL could significantly increase learners' WOL behavior and psychological empowerment at work in the post and six-month follow-up measurements.”

  • Anne S, Change Agent, SMA Solar Technology

    “The WOL method brought people together, strengthened mutual understanding, and fostered their sense of belonging.”

  • Sebastian A., Telekom, Senior HR Business Partner

    “At Deutsche Telekom, we believe that WOL helps our employees to develop successfully in a connected world of work.”

  • Maria Fernanda, Lead HR Business Partner, Kaiser + Kraft

    “Being part of WOL was an incredible experience of connection and commitment.”

  • Dennis B., Enterprise Collaboration

    “I am absolutely convinced that we need this appreciative, generous, open and connecting attitude that WOL conveys to us.”

  • Katja V., Learning Expert, Blum

    “WOL is a super-rich program—it has everything you need for your career. There is so much for different situations that you can do it again and again.”

  • Michael Trautmann, co-creator of On the Way to New Work podcast and book

    “One of the fundamental skills underpinning New Work.”

  • Florian S., HR Coordinator, Radisson Hotel Group

    “Working Out Loud is one of the most beautiful methods in social learning.”

  • Linda F., Education Manager, University Hospital Zurich

    “Since I took part at my first circle my professional life is more meaningful and full of options.”

  • Elian L, HR Development, SWR

    “Resilience is a future competence! We were the first to go through the WOL Resilience program in German. 91% of our participants recommend it.”

  • Justin F., Global Wealth Investments, Citibank

    “The most corporate-friendly way to create human transformation that I have come across.”

  • Kathrin K., HR Consulting & Management

    “The energy that my WOL Circle gave me was indescribable.”

  • Belkis E., Global People Director, LeanIX

    “WOL creates a mindset we strongly need in today's world of work: learning from each other, achieving goals together.”

  • Karl B., Data Visualization Specialist, Bayer

    “Was like a Jonathan Franzen novel: rewarding on so many levels including those you never knew existed.”

  • Nancy B., Early Talent Advocate, Pfizer

    New List Item

    “WOL is the absolute BEST!!!”

  • Katharina N., Change Lead, Bayer

    “This year's WOL Circle was my third and I'm still amazed by the (very different) results that were achieved by each group.”

  • Christian H., Division Manager, Teckentrup

    “WOL improves collaboration in the organization & promotes knowledge sharing, especially in times of increasing digitalization & remote working.”

The WOL method is based on five core elements

relationships

Build sustainable, personal relationships that help and add value. However, not according to the classic networking principle (“one hand washes the other”), but in the sense that you yourself contribute something meaningfully so that the relationship also creates added value for others.

Visible work

Make your own work, thoughts, ideas, learning experiences and knowledge visible as a valuable contribution to the network.

generosity

Sharing knowledge without any desire for anything in return but to strengthen the network constructively and sustainably and achieve more together.

Growth mindset

Approaching things openly and curiously and thus discovering and further developing the diverse possibilities. New learning and growth are possible every day!

Purposeful discovery

What resources do I need? What is my contribution to getting closer to the goal and learning something from it? Clear structure so you don't get lost in the many options.

"Humans are social creatures and want to interact, and social learning is the most important form of learning."

—Stephen Covey

How the Working Out Loud® Circle program works

Exchange in small, familiar groups

Working and exchanging ideas in confidential, psychologically safe groups (circles) promotes support for each other, a sense of community and human connection.

Everyone works towards an individual goal

Each participant sets their own (learning) goal for the 12 weeks. This promotes intrinsic motivation, increases active engagement and makes learning possible on the side and through reflection.

A structured curriculum

Clearly defined weekly structures, processes and exercises provide a simple framework for working and learning on your own topic in a self-organized way in a group.

Establish new habits over time

Through gradual practice, week after week, sustainable habits are built and a new mindset is cultivated, useful for achieving any goal.

Virtual collaboration on MIRO

For more effective collaboration in the circles during the program, there is the optional option of having your own digital MIRO whiteboard provided.

Each circle gets its own board. The content on the boards can be made available in German or English. All content is visually prepared around the accompanying WOL® workbook.

Here you will find the WOL® Guides, all weekly exercises and have enough space for your ideas and shared documentation in your circle meetings.​

If necessary, you will receive an introduction to the board and Miro training from us so that you can have fun working on it.

Get to know our certified WOL® Circles Coaches

Katharina Krentz

In 2015, Katharina was the first to use Working Out Loud programs in a large corporation, adapting them, distributing them internationally, organizing them as a grassroots initiative and anchoring the attitude in the HR strategy. She has advised many companies on this, accompanied circles and (further) developed some of the WOL programs. She is considered the founder of the WOL movement in Germany. To date, >6,000 people have taken part in the public #FrauenStärken powered by WOL programs.

Sophie Rickman

Sophie is a passionate WOLler. Due to her background as a business psychologist, new work facilitator and communication expert, she is enthusiastic about the direct impact of the various programs in practice. In 2021, she took part in the largest open WOL #FrauenStärken program and then became a member of the CoCreation team. Since 2024 she has also been working as a WOL coach and supports companies in their successful implementation.

WOL® in the press

  • 26 Lightbulb Moments, Episode 2, May 2024

    In this episode of "26 Lightbulb Moments," Anja interviews two prominent advocates of the Working Out Loud (WOL) method: John Stepper and Katharina Krentz. John, the creator and founder of WOL, and Katharina, a transformation facilitator and certified WOL coach, discuss the impact of this peer-to-peer learning method on personal and cultural development in various organizations. They share insights into how WOL promotes collaboration, networking, and lifelong learning, and why it's essential for future success. Listen now.

  • Learning is awesome - The Learning Development Blog, July 2022

    Katharina Krentz: Almost every Learning & Development expert knows podcasts on the topic of “Working out Loud”. She is the woman who brought Working out Loud to Germany. With “ Connecting Humans ” she not only supports WOL, but also New Work topics in general. At the moment everyone is screaming for New Work - I would like to know from her how employers can remain attractive if we all suddenly only work remotely. Watch now.

  • Impulspiloten, April 2022

    For today's expert talk, I would like to welcome a very special guest, Katharina Krentz, to our impulse pilot couch. Katha is not only a trainer and speaker for New Work, networking, female empowerment and founder of Connecting Humans , but she is also considered a pioneer of Working Out Loud® - WOL® for short - in Germany. now .

  • Changement Magazine, March 2022

    A panacea for some, completely overrated for others: tools and methods in change. We examine practitioners and experts and want to find out their perspective and some tips. This time we ask Katharina Krentz. She is considered one of the pioneers in Germany when it comes to working out loud. Read full article.

  • Kluge & Co., October, 2020

    The name of our guest today, Katharina Krentz, is particularly associated with the topic of Working Out Loud - one of the most prominent examples of grassroots movements in organizations. Katharina Krentz had the official task in her company of designing a curriculum for the community managers set up in the company. Listen now.

  • Haufe, March 2018

    Connecting products via the cloud, connecting employees with “Working Out Loud” – that’s one of Bosch’s recipes for digital transformation. You can read how this works in practice here.

  • t3n, May 2018

    Bosch has been doing it for years, Daimler too, and a number of other large and well-known companies besides them: Working-Out-Loud. But what is that actually? Read full article.

  • t3n, May 2019

    Working out Loud (WOL®) is a method of making work visible and sharing knowledge - using a structured method in groups. In the t3n podcast, Daimler and Bosch explain how they implement the method in practice. Listen now.

  • SWR, LinkedIn, 2021

    SWR innovative: With WOL® -Working Out Loud®- against silo mentality, SWR project manager Elian Lieb shares her experiences. Read entire post.

Get to know the other WOL programs too

WOL® for teams

WOL for teams improves team interaction and work and supports psychological safety in everyday work. The focus is on team building and team performance, working together more effectively in a team and developing further both as an individual and in and with the team.

Who is the program intended for?
Anyone who has been working together for a long time, is new to a team and/or welcomes new members, this program is exactly right for them.

WOL® resilience

Develop and improve skills and overcome challenges better with WOL Resilience . Overcome insecurities, excessive demands and conflicts through everyday techniques and methods for more mindfulness, body awareness and ability to reflect and thus increase your own resilience.​

Who is the program for? Employees who benefit from practical techniques and collaborative learning to feel less stressed and better able to deal with challenges

WOL® shop floor

WOL Shopfloor strengthens the commitment and participation of all employees in the operational professional environment. The focus is on simple job crafting methods to achieve greater job satisfaction by changing your own attitude and developing personal skills.

Who is the program for? Employees in time-constrained environments such as factories, manufacturing, retail and hospitals who want to improve their daily work experience

#FS powered by WOL®

The focus of the #FrauenStärken powered by WOL program is on strengthening yourself as a woman or person who reads as female, supporting other women and further developing your own skills such as self-efficacy, networking and communication skills.

Who is the program for? People who WANT to strengthen themselves and others in order to become more effective and visible through networking and collaboration in networks

Do you want to find out whether the WOL® Circle program is right for your company? It's best to arrange a non-binding introductory meeting and find out. We look forward to your inquiry.

Use the contact form, book an appointment with us directly or write us an email to wol@connecting-humans.de