Working Out Loud ®
shop floor

More commitment. Greater satisfaction. Greater networking and participation in the operational area.

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)

What is WOL® Shopfloor?

WOL® Shopfloor promotes self-determination and intrinsic motivation at work, while at the same time creating trust between colleagues.

The peer-to-peer learning method is based on self-determination theory (SDT) and job crafting research. SDT assumes that people have intrinsic needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. Job crafting enables employees to satisfy these needs at work.

WOL® Shopfloor strengthens the sense of agency, confidence and belonging through gradual practice over a period of
8 weeks , as employees learn how to make work better for themselves and the people around them. In groups of 3-4 participants , so-called circles, small exercises are upon in 30-minute meetings over 8 weeks , which can be implemented directly in everyday life. This means that changes can be experienced quickly.

The method is used in factories, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

WOL® Shopfloor is tailored to your company in terms of content. This means that this program always 3-5 days of consultation so that we can design the content and exercises to suit your needs and incorporate practical examples and company narratives that suit you. The Circle Guides to be used for the program are also written specifically for you. We draw on a broad and extensive repertoire of content and exercises; you decide what works for you. After an initial pilot, the content will be readjusted again, after which you will have your own version of WOL® Shopfloor that you can use in the future.

The most important thing in brief

What it's about The focus of the program is on small exercises and plenty of space for reflection in order to increase the feeling of autonomy, competence and connection among all participants.
Since the program will be adapted and tailor-made for you, we need your active participation in developing the concept.

Target group for the program The program and its content are aimed primarily at people who work in the operational area and who rarely have access to such learning and personal development methods.

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 8 weeks. A start is possible at any time after consultation and advance planning. The participants meet once a week for 30 minutes and invest approximately another 30 minutes in preparing for these meetings. There will be 3 accompanying events, each lasting
30 minutes.

Total time investment: 9.5 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 other person also gains added value from the relationship.

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

to approach things openly and curiously and thus discover and further develop the diverse possibilities.

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.

"Human beings have an innate inner drive to be independent, self-determined and connected to one another. And when this drive is unleashed, people achieve more and live richer lives."

—Daniel Pink

How Working Out Loud® Shopfloor 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 8 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, leading to greater satisfaction at work.

Get to know our certified WOL® 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.

Get to know the other WOL programs too

WOL® Circles

If you want to experience WOL, it's best to start with the WOL Circle method . The focus is on building networking, digital and communication skills as well as self-reflection, self-efficacy and clarity about your own goals, skills and habits.

Who is the program for?
All employees who WANT to expand their network, achieve a goal, research a topic or gain access to further career opportunities

WOL® resilience

Develop and improve skills and overcome challenges better with WOL Resilience . Overcome insecurity, overwhelm and conflicts through everyday techniques and methods for more mindfulness, body awareness, ability to reflect and 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® for teams

WOL for teams improves team interaction and your collaboration 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.

#FS powered by WOL®

The focus of the #FrauenStärken powered by WOL 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

Is WOL® Shopfloor the right program 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