The new boss at Audi also says: He, who simply follows in the footstep of others, is never going to surpass them and this is why he indicates a lane change and tries to pass them by. How pleasant to hear such vivid declarations! Usually, managers speak of ‘steps in the right direction’ without saying what it is about. Interestingly enough, Mr. Stadler explains his corporate philosophy in the exact language defining the corporation Audi: Progress through technology.

To go your own way, not to chase after or run next to the competition due to a trend, to be ambitious and to get in the shape that is required to master the future successfully. It does not astonish anyone that Mr. Stadler is an ardent runner and racing cyclist. His type of entrepreneurial thinking emanates from the realization that success is tied to concise objectives and a high degree of readiness for service.

This message the Audi boss is taking on his way says more in a few minutes than a dozen newly published books with leadership recipes and strategy suggestions. Success requires focusing on what is substantial. No more and no less. Substantial meaning to perform well on a personal level, to have the willpower to fight, to ask for full dedication not just from others, but also from oneself, to lead by example. Some of you readers might think that this is understood. True, but isn’t the danger on the rise that petty manoeuvres are replacing strategic thinking? This is not too ill-founded.

What is really important in the future? Independence! And how does one become independent, as a company and as a person? Performance based on sovereignty makes businesses and also people independent. For us truthfulness is also part of the substantial characteristics which constitute sovereignty. All of this does not require big words, but only words whose meaning we accept and which are filled with life.