Taking our leadership over hot coals

As well as running some of Switzerland’s leading online marketplaces, what sets Scout24 Schweiz AG apart are two distinct drivers; innovation and growth.

So when we were looking for an engaging team experience to top off our Management Summit 2021, a team exercise that would further spark innovation and cultivate a growth mindset, we wanted something impactful and memorable.

Igniting growth

To help us unleash our full potential, both on an individual and team level, we sought out an empowerment experience that would not only fuse our forward-looking growth strategy and kickstart our culture shift but be fun, enjoyable, and ideally, outside in the beautiful Swiss countryside.

What better symbol for overcoming obstacles (and fears) and realising our unlimited potential than a firewalk.?

We, therefore, got in touch with the professional team at Burning Change to facilitate this highly specialised activity and safely guide us through the memorable occasion.

Taking a leaf out of our own handbook

A key part of the summit’s objectives was to kick off Scout24’s culture shift.??

Following the publication of our Purpose and Culture Handbook, we wanted to take this opportunity to co-create our vision and continue forward in alignment with our objectives.

Therefore, all participants took a section of the culture handbook and wrote down their positive personal visions for the company’s future, so they could, as individuals, work successfully to collectively contribute to the culture shift.

The firewalk would be the catalyst and anchor for this ongoing transformation.

Challenging limiting beliefs

One of the key benefits of firewalking, in addition to team bonding and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, literally, is that it helps challenge limiting beliefs.??

It helps you deal with fears (obstacles) and separates imagination (what you think you can’t achieve) from reality (what you actually can).

It also gives you a powerful sense of ownership of the situation and allows you to observe your emotions and feelings.

It was, therefore, important that we all had positive objectives and outcomes in mind before we walked over the hot coals.

Setting the scene

Following a rewarding and motivational day where our upper and middle management also clarified new ways of working together to shape Scout24’s future, fifty of us found ourselves in the beautiful scenic Swiss mountainside that further added to the ambience of the transformational event.

Surroundings are an important part of any team empowerment exercise, as what goes in (either consciously or not) is all part of a potentially life-changing experience.

The more incredible the scenery, the more memorable the event.

I might add that the firewalk was entirely voluntary, and there was absolutely no peer pressure to take part.

Firewalks are, after all, about standing in your own power and making your own decisions. In any event, even watching others do a firewalk is motivating and powerful in itself.??

You are still part of the teambuilding event, and cheering your teammates on is key. In fact, it is an absolutely essential component!

Together we are one

While we all made an individual contribution to the event (firewalking is about personal growth, focus and inner strength), we were also making a group contribution as leaders.??

As a conscious community activity, there was a feeling of togetherness, a bond, a camaraderie that I, for one, will never forget.

As the night drew in and the coals burned brightly in that stunning setting, we walked across the hot glowing embers to the beat of a drum and encouragement and cheers from the team.

I know from several previous experiences that firewalking has a lasting impact. And what we set in motion on this evening will positively impact our culture and help us tremendously on our journey.

Now we have walked together as a team over burning coals; the only limit to what we can achieve now at Scout24 is our imagination.

Thank you to Kurt Specht and Pierre Avanzo at Burning Change for a truly excellent experience and shout out to my colleagues Aldo Cavegn, Arrigo Cimarosti, Cecilia Scheid, Isabelle Haller, Kora Dietsche, Sylvain Egger, Shanthini Rajkumar for all their efforts in bringing our Culture Handbook to life.

Photo credits:?Janine Lee

About Daniel de Carvalho

Daniel de Carvalho is Director of Corporate Communications at Scout24 Schweiz AG. He is a communications expert and leader with over 20 years of experience in his field, creating and implementing successful public relations and public affairs strategies for high-profile international companies.