Working Out Loud ®
Circles program
The best introductory program to Working Out Loud (WOL) methods for companies:
Building a professional network, developing collaboration skills, empowering employees to gain more self-efficacy and reach their full potential.
Employees are not satisfied with their work (Gallup)
experiencing social isolation in the workplace (Harvard Business Review)
They need to 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 competency for an increasingly complex future. It fosters an open, learning-oriented mindset, personal networking, and respectful communication on equal footing. In so-called Circles with 3-5 members, participants work and learn from and with each other in a self-organized and self-directed manner. This very social fitness is becoming increasingly important in times of digital networking and in techno-social work environments!
Networking, collaboration, and communication within a virtual network, using the WOL approach, delivers the highest learning effect and real change through regular application: one-hour meetings in the Circle over twelve weeks , plus preparation, follow-up, and accompanying events . The time investment over 12 weeks is approximately 30 hours . A WOL Circle serves simultaneously as a learning, safe, and experimental space. Here, tasks are developed collaboratively with mutual support and feedback.
Following this, a task- and solution-oriented reflection takes place within the Circle. At the end of the twelve weeks, each participant has developed an individual network of experts related to their chosen learning objective and can actively participate on digital platforms. The acquired skills can be transferred to other projects and sustainably enhance personal networking, digital, and communication skills. Furthermore, the Working Out Loud (WOL) approach fosters innovation: openness, transparency, support, and trust in mutual collaboration are essential for any innovation process.
WOL® Circles are easily integrated into the workday, as the program 12 weeks but only requires a maximum of 2 hours per week with flexible scheduling . Thanks to the learning-by-doing approach, the tools and methods learned can be directly applied in everyday work.
The most important points in brief
What it's about: The program focuses on networking, collaboration, and communication within a virtual network. Each participant sets their own learning goal. A network of experts, both inside and outside the company, is built to help achieve this goal. Along the way, participants develop many helpful skills, establish new habits, and cultivate a more open mindset.
aimed at people who want to improve their social skills, i.e., learn in a structured way how to build good relationships on equal footing, how interaction works primarily in the digital space, and what modern learning looks like. The Circles provide an experience of what modern collaboration in networks can look like.
Minimum number of participants: The program only makes sense if a group of at least 15 people from your company participates. There is no upper limit.
Timeframe and Commitment: The program runs for 12 weeks. A start is possible at any time after consultation and planning; however, we recommend starting at the beginning of the year or in September to ensure the full
12 weeks are completed consecutively. Participants meet once a week for 60 minutes and invest approximately one additional hour in preparing for these meetings. Four to five accompanying events, each lasting one hour, will also take place.
Total time investment: 29 hours
Costs: We offer attractive WOL® programs and licenses for businesses. Send us an email and we'll create a customized offer tailored to your needs.
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“WOL increases intrinsic motivation, mental health and important aspects for team collaboration.”
Prof. Julia Schorlemmer, FOM University of Applied Sciences for
Economics & Management -
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“Results revealed that WOL could significantly increase learners' WOL behavior and psychological empowerment at work in the post and six-month follow-up measurements.”
T. Augner, CC Schermuly and F. Jungmann
(2023, WOL: an intervention study to test an agile learning method”, Journal of Workplace Learning, In print). -
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“The WOL method brought people together, strengthened mutual understanding, and fostered their sense of belonging.”
Anne S, Change Agent,
SMA Solar Technology -
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“At Deutsche Telekom, we believe that WOL helps our employees to develop successfully in a connected world of work.”
Sebastian A., Telekom,
Senior HR Business Partner -
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“Being part of WOL was an incredible experience of connection and commitment.”
Maria Fernanda,
Lead HR Business Partner, Kaiser + Kraft -
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“I am absolutely convinced that we need this appreciative, generous, open and connecting attitude that WOL conveys to us.”
Dennis B., Enterprise Collaboration
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"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."
Katja V., Learning Expert, Blum
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“One of the fundamental skills underpinning New Work.”
Michael Trautmann,
co-creator of 'On the Way
to New Work' podcast and book -
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“Working Out Loud is one of the most beautiful methods in social learning.”
Florian S., HR Coordinator, Radisson Hotel Group
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“Since I took part at my first circle my professional life is more meaningful and full of options.”
Linda F., Education Manager,
University Hospital Zurich -
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"Resilience is a future competence! We were the first to go through the WOL Resilience program in German. 91% of our participants recommend it."
Elian L, HR Development, SWR
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“The most corporate-friendly way to create human transformation that I have come across.”
Justin F., Global Wealth Investments, Citibank
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“The energy that my WOL Circle gave me was indescribable.”
Kathrin K., HR Consulting & Management
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“WOL creates a mindset we strongly need in today's world of work: learning from each other, achieving goals together.”
Belkis E., Global People Director, LeanIX
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“Was like a Jonathan Franzen novel: rewarding on so many levels including those you never knew existed.”
Karl B., Data Visualization Specialist, Bayer
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![Nancy B., Early Talent Advocate, Pfizer]()
“WOL is the absolute BEST!!!”
Nancy Bruce
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“This year's WOL Circle was my third and I'm still amazed by the (very different) results that were achieved by each group.”
Katharina N., Change Lead, Bayer
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“WOL improves collaboration in the organization & promotes knowledge sharing, especially in times of increasing digitalization & remote working.”
Christian H., Division Manager, Teckentrup
The WOL method is based on five core elements
Relationships
Building sustainable, personal relationships that help and create added value. However, not according to the classic networking principle ("you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours"), but in the sense that you yourself make a meaningful contribution so that the other person also benefits from the relationship.
Visible work
Making one's own work, thoughts, ideas, learning experiences and knowledge visible as a valuable contribution to the network.
generosity
Sharing knowledge without expecting anything in return, but rather to constructively and sustainably strengthen the network and achieve more together.
Growth-oriented thinking
Approach things with an open mind and curiosity, discovering and developing diverse opportunities. New learning and growth are possible every day!
Targeted Discovery
What resources do I need? What is my contribution to getting closer to the goal and learning something in the process? A clear structure is needed to avoid getting lost in the many possibilities.
"Humans are social beings 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 mutual support, 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 fosters intrinsic motivation, increases active engagement, and enables learning to occur almost incidentally and through reflection.
A structured curriculum
Clearly defined weekly structures, procedures and exercises provide a simple framework for working and learning on one's own topic in a self-organized way within the group.
Establishing new habits over time
Through gradual practice, week after week, sustainable habits are built and a new way of thinking is cultivated that is useful for achieving any goal.
Virtual collaboration on MIRO
For more effective collaboration within the Circles during the program, there is an optional option to be provided with your own digital MIRO whiteboard.
Each Circle receives its own board. The content on the boards can be provided in German or English. All content is visually presented in conjunction with the accompanying WOL® workbook.
Here you will find the WOL® Guides, all weekly exercises, and plenty of space for your ideas and collaborative documentation in your Circle Meetings
If needed, we will provide you with an introduction to the board and Miro training so that you can work on it with enjoyment.
Get to know our certified WOL® Circles coaches
Katharina Krentz
In 2015, Katharina was the first to implement, adapt, and internationally disseminate Working Out Loud (WOL) programs in a large #FrauenStärken powered by WOL programs.
Sophie Rickman
Sophie is a passionate WOL advocate. With her background as a business psychologist, New Work facilitator, and communications expert, she is enthusiastic about the direct impact of the various programs in practice. In 2021, she participated in the largest open WOL #FrauenStärken program and subsequently became a member of the Co-Creation Team. Since 2024, she has also been working as a WOL coach, supporting companies in successful implementation.
WOL® in the press
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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.
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Learning is awesome - The Learning Development Blog, July 2022
Katharina Krentz: Almost every learning and development expert is familiar with her podcasts on "Working Out Loud." She's the woman who brought Working Out Loud to Germany. With " Connecting Humans " she supports not only WOL but also New Work topics in general. Everyone's clamoring for New Work right now—I want to know from her how employers can remain attractive when we're all suddenly working remotely. Watch it now.
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Impulse Pilots, April 2022
For today's expert talk, I'm delighted to welcome Katharina Krentz, a very special guest, to our Impulspiloten couch. Katha is not only a trainer and speaker on New Work, networking, female empowerment, and the founder of Connecting Humans , but she's also considered a pioneer of Working Out Loud® – or WOL® for short – in Germany. Tune in now !
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Changement Magazine, March 2022
For some, they're a panacea; for others, completely overrated: tools and methods for change management. We put practitioners and experts to the test and want to hear their perspectives and get some tips. This time, we ask Katharina Krentz. She's considered one of the pioneers of Working Out Loud in Germany. Read the full article.
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Kluge & Associates, October 2020
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 was officially tasked with designing a curriculum for the community managers she had established within her company. Listen now.
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Haufe, March 2018
Connecting products via the cloud, connecting employees with "Working Out Loud" – this is one of Bosch's recipes for digital transformation. Read here how this works in practice.
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t3n, May 2018
Bosch has been doing it for years, as has Daimler, and a number of other large and well-known companies besides them: Working Out Loud. But what exactly is it? Read the full article.
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t3n, May 2019
Working Out Loud (WOL®) is a method for making work visible and sharing knowledge – using a structured approach in groups. In the t3n podcast, Daimler and Bosch explain how they implement the method in practice. Listen now.
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SWR, LinkedIn, 2021
SWR is a leader in innovation: Using WOL® - Working Out Loud® - to combat silo thinking. SWR project manager Elian Lieb shares her experiences. Read the full article.
Also get to know the other WOL programs
WOL® for Teams
WOL for teams improves teamwork and collaboration and promotes psychological safety in everyday work. The focus is on team building and team performance, working together more effectively as a team, and developing both as an individual and within and with the team.
Who is this program for?
This program is perfect for those who have been working together for a long time, are newly forming a team, and/or are welcoming new members.
WOL® Resilience
Develop and improve your skills and better master challenges with WOL Resilience . Overcome insecurities, overwhelm, and conflicts through practical techniques and methods for greater mindfulness, body awareness, and reflective ability, thereby increasing 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 cope with challenges.
WOL® Shopfloor
WOL Shopfloor strengthens the engagement and participation of all employees in the operational work environment. The focus is on simple job crafting methods to achieve greater job satisfaction by changing one's 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 empowering women and people perceived as female to strengthen themselves, support other women, and further develop their own skills such as self-efficacy, networking, and communication skills.
Who is the program for? People who want to empower themselves and others to become more effective and visible through networking and collaboration.
Want to find out if the WOL® Circle program is right for your company? Schedule a no-obligation introductory meeting today and find out. We look forward to your inquiry.
Use the contact form, book an appointment directly with us, or send us an email to wol@connecting-humans.de
