Working Out Loud®
Shopfloor
Greater commitment. Higher satisfaction. Stronger networking and participation in operations.
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)
What is WOL® Shopfloor?
WOL® Shopfloor promotes self-determination and intrinsic motivation at work, while simultaneously creating trust between colleagues.
The peer-to-peer learning method is based on self-determination theory (SDT) and job crafting research. SDT posits 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 an
8-week , as employees learn how to improve their work for themselves and those around them. In groups of 3-4 participants , called Circles, small exercises are carried out and reflected upon in 30-minute meetings over 8 weeks , which can be directly implemented in everyday work. This allows for rapid, tangible changes.
The method is used in factories, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.
WOL® Shopfloor is tailored to your company's specific needs. This means that the program always 3-5 days of consultation so we can design the content and exercises to align with your requirements and incorporate practical examples and company narratives that resonate with you. The Circle Guides, the program's manuals, are also written specifically for you. We draw on a broad and comprehensive repertoire of content and exercises; you decide what works best for you. After an initial pilot phase, the content is fine-tuned, and you'll have your own version of WOL® Shopfloor that you can implement in the future.
The most important points in brief
What it's about: The program focuses on small exercises and ample time for reflection to increase the sense of autonomy, competence, and connection among all participants.
Since the program is adapted and tailored specifically for you, we need your active participation in developing the concept.
Target group for the program: The program and its content are primarily aimed at people who work in operational roles 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 participates. There is no upper limit.
Timeframe and Commitment: The program runs for 8 weeks. A start is possible at any time after consultation and planning. Participants meet once a week for 30 minutes and invest approximately another 30 minutes in preparing for these meetings. Three accompanying events, each lasting 30 minutes, will take place.
Total time investment: 9.5 hours
Costs: We offer attractive WOL® programs and licenses for businesses. Send us an email and we'll create a customized offer tailored to you and your requirements.
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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 derives added value 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
To approach things openly and curiously, thereby discovering and developing the diverse possibilities.
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 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 mutual support, 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 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, leading to greater job satisfaction.
Get to know our certified WOL® 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.
Also get to know the other WOL programs
WOL® Circles
Those who want to experience WOL should ideally 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 one's 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 your skills and better master challenges with WOL Resilience . Overcome uncertainty, feeling overwhelmed, and conflicts through practical techniques and methods for greater mindfulness, body awareness, reflective ability, and 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® for Teams
WOL for teams improves teamwork and collaboration, and promotes psychological safety in the workplace. The focus is on team building and team performance, working together more effectively, 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.
#FS powered by WOL®
#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.
Is WOL® Shopfloor the right program 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
