Impulse blog by Frank Rechsteiner
Having a plan B sounds sensible – but it might sabotage you for that very reason
In the latest episode of Men in Crisis, we talk about a thought that many of us sell as security: "I just need a plan B." Sounds grown-up, rational and responsible. But what if this very thought is the reason why your plan A never really works? It's about focus. About...
Why your relationships so often feel empty
Many men believe they simply have "bad luck with women". Similar conflicts, similar dynamics, similar disappointments time and time again. The new episode of Men in Crisis looks at why this is often no coincidence, but a pattern that emerged much earlier than we...
You want to get out, but something is holding you back
Many men feel that they don't really want to be where they are right now. The job feels empty, there is a lack of energy, Monday is something you have to "get through". And yet they stay. Not because they have to, but because they tell themselves that there is no...
Control is an illusion – and deep down you know that too
We think we have things under control: job, decisions, people, results. At least that's how it feels. And that's exactly what gives us security. But if you're honest, it's not true.In the new episode of Men in Crisis, it quickly becomes clear: control only works as...
When fear takes over and you can no longer control anything
Many of us believe that we have no fears at all or that we at least have our fears well under control. In the new episode of Men in Crisis, we look at why this is often not the case and how fear controls us both consciously and unconsciously. There was a situation on...
Who you spend time with determines who you become
You go to work, meet people, have appointments. Everything seems normal. The new episode of Men in Crisis is about why this "normal life" is often more influenced by your environment than you realize. It's not just about the people you surround yourself with, but also...
About the creeping loss of importance
Many men look at their situation and think: "It's all good, I have my job." In the new episode of Men in Crisis, I talk about why this is the new illusion. It's about a change that is happening quietly. You stay in your job, but your value drops. Not because you've...
AI is already here – and you still haven’t made up your mind?
Many are still talking about whether AI is coming. The new episode of Men in Crisis deals with an uncomfortable truth: it's already here and the real question is not whether, but which side you want to be on. It's a decision that many people put off. Not consciously,...
You’re still here – but already gone inside
According to the latest studies, more than 3/4 of all employees in Germany only work to the book or have even already resigned internally. They still go to work, function, deliver the bare minimum, but are no longer really there. It's about living life on the back...
The one lie that determines your life – without you realizing it
We all tell them to ourselves. Every day. And most of the time it sounds completely harmless: "I don't have time for this", "Now is not the right time", "I'm just like this". In the new episode of "Men in crisis", I talk about why exactly these sentences are often not...
When your ego controls you
Crises, conflicts, power games. Much of this has a common root: the ego. In the new episode of Men in Crisis , I talk about why our ego often sabotages not only relationships, but also our own lives. It's about men who always have to be right, who immediately perceive...
When “being nice” becomes a problem
Many men consider themselves to be friendly, helpful or empathetic. But the new episode of Men in Crisis deals with an uncomfortable truth: if you want to please everyone, you end up losing yourself. People pleasing doesn't just mean being nice. It means constantly...
Why so many men are stuck inside without realizing it!
On the outside, things are going well: good job, good money, responsibility. And yet many men feel empty inside. The new episode of "Men in crisis" looks at why so many are stuck and don't even realize it. You have often read books, undergone therapy and reflected....
What leadership 2026 really demands from men
Insolvencies are on the rise, markets are changing, there is talk of transformation and a new mindset everywhere. In the latest episode of Men in Crisis, I talk about why change doesn't happen by email and why real leadership in times of crisis starts with the CEO...
Podcast premiere! For the first time, we have a guest: Marcel Friederich, known to many as the “Encourager”.
The author, business coach and initiator of the courage movement talks openly about shame, self-management and inner strength. And he knows what he's talking about: Marcel lives with visible facial asymmetry and tried to hide it for a long time. Today, he consciously...
What power does to unsettled men
The Epstein case has caused worldwide horror. Particularly because of the crimes themselves, of course, but also because of the system behind them: a web of power, silence and men who have apparently learned that different rules apply to them. In the new episode of...
Why actions count more than words
Many men explain their lives in detail: they tell us what they are planning, why something is not working at the moment and why later will be the right time. On the outside, this seems reflective, but on the inside, a lot of things stand still. In the new episode of...
What men prefer to keep quiet
Leadership is not decided on a CV. It shows in the situations that men avoid: unpleasant conversations, clear decisions, personal responsibility. The new episode of Men in Crisis is about precisely these evasive movements. About questions that are not nice, but...
Why failure affects men more than they admit
Many men experience setbacks not just as a moment, but as an attack on their identity. They give their all, invest discipline, energy and heart and soul, and when something fails, the movie of complete failure immediately plays in their heads. In the new episode of...
No decision is also a decision!
Why do so many men remain in situations in life that they have long felt are no longer good for them? I know this feeling very well too. For a long time, I believed that not deciding for or against something was something neutral. Wait and see. To endure. Do nothing...
Stress is just a symptom – the cause is your lifestyle
Vacation doesn't cure anything if your life model is broken. Two weeks off. One day back at work. And your stress level is higher than before. That's no coincidence. It's a system error. How can that be? Because many men are extremely efficient, but completely...
If every boss is an idiot – maybe you’re not the victim
85% of employees are dissatisfied. Many change jobs. Some become self-employed.And yet the same feeling remains: authority is annoying. In the podcast Men in Crisis, we talk about an uncomfortable connection:Problems with authority and a lack of self-esteem are often...
Why men don’t show feelings – and thus destroy their relationships
Many men don't show any feelings.Not because they don't feel anything, but because they learned early on that feelings are unsafe. This became brutally clear to me in the podcast Men in Crisis:Emotional closure is not a character trait. It is a protective mechanism....
Why you never work enough – and are still empty (father wound explained)
I have long believed that more power is the answer. More work. Even more responsibility. Hang in there! And yet, or probably precisely because of this, there was this quiet and tenacious emptiness. Difficult to grasp. Nobody saw it. Outwardly: functioning, successful,...
Today sees the release of a podcast episode that will hurt many men – and that’s exactly why it’s important.
We are talking about something that guides your life without you realizing it:The father wound. Why you avoid closeness.Why you suppress your feelings.Why you often act strong - and fight inside. This episode is a wake-up call.It explains.It relieves you.It opens you...
I ran away from myself for 48 years.
From the inner emptiness. From the silence. From the truth that I didn't want to feel: I had a father wound. Not because my father was a bad person, but because he wasn't present. Physically there - but emotionally light years away. The result? I fought my way through...
Contentment beats happiness. Point.
There's a sentence in the new podcast that really hits the spot: "Happiness is peaks - contentment is a state that you create for yourself." We often chase moments of euphoria instead of organizing the basics of our everyday lives in a way that is really good for us:a...
“If you are aware of your own value, you can no longer be generous with your time.” – This sentence really hit me during the conversation.
In our podcast episode about the biggest regrets people have at the end of their lives, I was particularly touched by point 4:"I wish I had kept in touch with my friends more." But what does friendship really mean? For me personally, it has become clearer than ever:I...
I wish I had had the courage to express my feelings.
This sentence from our last podcast moved me deeply.Because it reminded me of many years when I thought I was strong just because I didn't feel anything. I was successful, active, constantly busy.But inside I was empty.I numbed my feelings - with work, distraction,...
“I wish I’d had the courage to live my own life”
This sentence moved me deeply and that's exactly why I'm talking about it in the current episode of Men in Crisis.I'm talking about something that affects us all - Courage. Honesty. And the question of whether we are really living our own lives. In the following, I'll...
“I wish I hadn’t worked so much.”
For a long time, I prided myself on always being busy. My full calendar was my proof that I was successful, that I was needed. I thought that anyone who worked hard had made it. But at some point I realized that I was losing myself in the process. I was constantly...
“I wish I’d had the courage to live my own life.”
This sentence moved me deeply and that's exactly why I'm talking about it in the current episode of Men in Crisis.I'm talking about something that affects us all - Courage. Honesty. And the question of whether we are really living our own lives. In the following, I'll...
“I wish I’d had the courage to live my own life”
This sentence moved me deeply and that's exactly why I'm talking about it in the current episode of Men in Crisis.I'm talking about something that affects us all - Courage. Honesty. And the question of whether we are really living our own lives. In the following, I'll...
Mask off: Why leadership otherwise degenerates into a show
This podcast episode is not a feel-good format for managers - it asks exactly the questions that many people avoid:Why do you play someone at work that you are not in your private life? And why do you think that's what professionalism is? Frank Rechsteiner ruthlessly...
Men in crisis – and suddenly it gets personal
This podcast is no gentle background noise. It's a wake-up call for anyone who's tired of living a 2-out-of-10 life and wants to finally get back in the driver's seat. Listen in if you want to know why it's not circumstances that determine your life, but your...
Men, let’s be honest:
If you don't wake up in the morning with real anticipation...If you already hate Monday on Sunday...If you sit next to your partner and prefer to look at your cell phone...If you chase substitute satisfactions more than you live real passion... Then you're not...
The hardest question you can ask yourself:
Do you really know your needs? A few years ago, I was sitting in bed with a woman. She said: "Today we'll do anything YOU want."And I gasped. Sounds tempting - but the next second I was hit by the bitter realization: I had absolutely no idea what I actually wanted....
Why most men fail in business: They don’t trust themselves.
Yes, I'm talking about you. You tell yourself and everyone else that you're "ready" for the big career, for the promotion, for more responsibility and more money. But when it gets concrete, when the employment contract is on the table, when you're supposed to bring...
“It’s not that simple.”
The biggest life lie that we all believe far too often. We say this phrase when we shirk our responsibility.When we light smoke screens instead of living solutions.When we prefer to moan, project and spread blame - instead of staying on our own side of the pitch. The...
Who would call you?
Imagine waking up in a maximum security prison.You have just one phone call left. Who are you voting for? And more importantly, would anyone vote for you? This is exactly what High Agency is all about:People who don't moan, don't hesitate, but act.Take responsibility....
The strongest person in the room is the one who can leave at any time
Not the one with the loudest word, not the one with the biggest title, not the one with the biggest bank account. But the one who is free. Free to stand up, to walk away, to say "no" - and thus uncompromisingly "yes" to yourself. How often do we stay in conversations...
Wake up, man!
As long as you are not sexually free, you are controllable.Not just by your partner. But also by your boss, your employer, by anyone who pushes into your unconscious shadows. I know the game.I was the best people pleaser in Germany for years - loved by my teams,...
Men, you fear sex talks more than dismissals – and that destroys you.
Most men have no idea how unfree they are - not at work, not in everyday life, but in bed. Sex is not just sex, it is the mirror of your ability to allow closeness - to yourself and to others. This is exactly what so many people run away from. They hide behind work,...
The most painful lessons were our greatest gifts
We all know this feeling. We've pushed ourselves, given our all - at work, in relationships, in projects, at our core. We were brave, we went all in. Without backing. Without a double bottom. And then it came:The rejection.Sometimes as a clear "no".Sometimes as a cold...
The most important relationship of your life? The one with yourself.
On 07.08. we celebrate 1 year of "Can you feel yourself?" - a men's podcast that doesn't talk to sound good, but to make a difference. And that's exactly why today, in our anniversary episode, we're going where it really hurts:There, where many men no longer feel...
No title in the world makes you a leader – your inner clarity does.
Fact:You can't lead other people as long as you're running away from yourself. Nobody cares about your title if you lose yourself at the crucial moment.Your strategy is useless if you avoid conflict.All your leadership talk is worthless if you remain emotionally...
Not career. Not six-pack. Not status.
Your sexuality is what really transforms you. What really transforms you is your access to yourself. To your inner flame. To real, deep connection. To real closeness - not the 3-minute pressure release at midnight after the talk show. I'm talking about the kind of...
No desire for sex = no connection to you
Sexuality is not a lifestyle.It is your energy center.Your inner flame.Your primal power. If you suppress it - through duty, conformity, distraction -then you lose the very thing that makes you strong as a man:Presence. Focus. Clarity. Drive. The new masculinity knows...
You’re not here to function – you’re here to burn.
When was the last time you felt that you were really alive? Not "okay". Not "will do". But that fire inside you. Those goosebumps on a Monday morning. That feeling: "YES - that's exactly what I'm here for." In our latest podcast, we talk about what many men feel - but...
Who do you call when you’re in prison?
And: Are YOU this man? Imagine waking up in a maximum security prison somewhere in the middle of nowhere.No idea how you got in there. No idea how you got out again. You have a call.Just one.Who are you calling? You don't call the smartest person. Not the most...
As long as you lie to yourself, NOTHING will change!
"I work. I give my all. I am strong."And yet: In the evening, you reach for your cell phone.Scroll aimlessly.Escape - into distraction, work, alcohol, porn, shopping, sports.Why?Because there's a feeling you never want to feel again. Because you're lying to yourself....
MEN, STOP LEADING IF YOU CAN’T HOLD YOUR OWN.
C-level does not automatically mean inner clarity. It's high time to get honest. Attitude begins where it becomes uncomfortable.And this is where leadership and function separate. In my work with C-level men, I experience the same void behind the shiny facade time and...
Compromises kill your relationship. And no one talks about it.
We say yes, even though we mean no.Go with us, even though we want to stay.Smile, even though something inside us has long since died. We call it harmony.But it's actually self-betrayal. Any compromise that goes against your feelings is not a relationship building...
No compromises: Why you need to be radically honest with yourself in your professional life
“Every compromise is a silent no to yourself.” A sentence that hits the mark. And jolts. Because it puts its finger on one of the deepest wounds in our working world: we too often live in a spiral of conformity. We sell our clarity for supposed security. And lose the...
You are not on this earth to stop at Base 1.
You can feel it.There's more.More courage. More life. More you. But what are you doing? You stand still. Because it's safe. Because that's what you do. Because... yes, why actually? In the new episode of “Can you feel yourself?” we break down exactly that:Why we tell...
“I threw a hand grenade into my life.”
Not out of courage.But because I had no other choice. Penthouse. Excellent career. Luxury restaurant.And yet: Empty. Dead. On autopilot.I was a functioning man - but no longer a living person. Men don't break down. They continue to function quietly. We swallow the...
Do you trust yourself?
Self-confidence is not a state. It is a decision. Every. Damn. Day. “Wow, you have so much confidence.” Ever heard of it? Maybe been told? The truth is: what you see is often just a facade. I gave a speech at my mother's funeral. People said afterwards: “Frank, you're...
Live or survive?
I was in survival mode for years.Successful. Popular. Dead tired. Do you know that?You work. You perform. Everyone says: “Wow, he's really got it.”But inside you're empty. Always 110% for the job.Always available. Always “strong”.Always one more project.And in the...
Are you living your truth – or are you living the lives of others?
In the new episode of “Can you feel yourself? The Men's Podcast”, I talk about a question that has changed my whole life: Am I living my truth?I used to think: top job, good salary, apartment in Munich - everything fits.The truth? It was a gilded cage. I was...
“I’m so angry!” – And why that can be a gift
“I'm so angry!” - And why that can be a gift We all know them. Those moments when we are seething, when words are like fire on the tip of our tongue, when we want to scream out loud: “I'm so angry!” Anger is raw. Wild. And often feared. We have learned to suppress it,...
Why your environment has a massive impact on your success
Influence of the environment on your life Your environment plays a decisive role in how you develop and what decisions you make. Have you ever noticed how much your circle of friends influences you? If you have people around you who constantly see the glass as half...
As managers, we have failed completely if we accept that 8 out of 10 employees work to rule!
Let's get straight to the facts: Around eight out of ten of all employees only do the bare minimum in their job. Trust in employers is also continuing to fall. This is the result of a representative survey. Three quarters of employees in Germany now only do the bare...
Are you 100% committed to what you do – or do you often only live half-heartedly?
Have you ever asked yourself whether you are really 100% committed? Observe yourself and the people around you. How often do you really give your all? Be honest. Take a bike race, for example: I am a dedicated amateur road cyclist and had set myself the goal of riding...
Why we as managers should make very few compromises
Compromise - the central theme that pervades our daily lives at all levels. From an early age, we learn that we have to constantly make compromises in relationships and at work in order to be happy and satisfied. But is this the right way? I am firmly convinced that...
“I’m afraid of change!” – with this strategy, I was able to overcome it and become much more successful
The fear of change Many of us are familiar with the feeling of fear of change. This fear can paralyze us and prevent us from breaking new ground. I would like to share an example from my own sporting life that illustrates this process. 20 years ago, when I was still...
How enthusiastic are you about your life? A guide to more authenticity and joie de vivre
Sometimes it's worth pausing and asking yourself: how enthusiastic am I about myself and my life? This question is not just a quick thought-provoking exercise, but a valuable starting point for profound change. Why enthusiasm is crucial Do challenges mean that...
Why your distraction from the essentials is costing you success
In our hectic world, distraction is omnipresent. Whether it's constant notifications, endless social media feeds or unconsciously reaching for our smartphones, we all know the feeling of losing ourselves and letting our precious time slip away. But why do we distract...
Managers who apply this self-management method increase team performance by a factor of X
Stressed, rushed, annoyed, overworked, over-nighted and under constant pressure - this is how most managers describe their emotional state in recent workshops. Do you also find yourself in this situation all the time, I ask? I hear a chorus of answers - yes,...
How patient are you with yourself and in your professional environment?
In our hectic and fast-paced world, patience has often become a rare virtue. Many of us strive for instant results, forgetting that true change and growth take time. Staying patient is not only crucial for our own development, but also essential for honest and deep...
Why your relationship with yourself determines your relationships with other people!
Relationships in our professional and private lives are crucial to our personal well-being. Especially if you are faced with challenges in your professional dealings with employees, and there will always be challenges, you should start asking yourself what these...
Personal development: Can you trust yourself?
Trust and intuition: the key to your inner compass Trust is a powerful transformer. When you learn to trust yourself and listen to your intuition, new possibilities and paths open up to you that you didn't see before. Your intuition is your superpower, it is your...
Personal development in midlife: midlife crisis or midlife opportunity? It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?
How do you personally deal with crises - do you have your own strategy for overcoming these intense times? We've all had personal crises or difficult challenges, it's part of life. Do you see these phases “purely” as difficult, stressful periods of life or can you...
Why a conscious decision can change your entire career
The last few years have profoundly changed the world of work. More speed, more dynamism, less stability. One example that impressively demonstrates this change: five years ago, nobody would have believed that a 63-year-old would still be successfully placed with a new...
How to significantly increase your self-efficacy – don’t accept mediocrity!
In this article, I look forward to taking you on a journey to self-realization and excellence and thus to increasing your self-efficacy. We all have the desire to make the most of our time in life and thus increase our level of self-efficacy. The following points can...
New rules apply to you for promotion to top management – do you know them?
We all have dreams that we tell very few people about. It is much more important to realize them than to talk about them with many people. In a professional context, quite a few people dream of moving up into management and some even into top management. However, many...
Frank Rechsteiner reveals: My recruiting has changed dramatically since I learned this about IT talent
We all want the classic 5-point plan that tells us exactly what we need to do to solve our problem quickly. Whether we're talking about personal development, recruiting or headhunting, we're all looking for a simple solution to our challenges. But let me tell you -...
Why your life on “autopilot” brings you little success
We all know the scenario, you arrive at the office after a 45-minute drive and have practically no idea which way you drove. Thank goodness your guardian angel doesn't forget you. You've already mentally attended a meeting, spoken to your colleagues and answered a few...
Why your professional success can only be achieved through your uniqueness
Recognize your uniqueness You are one of a kind. There is no one in this world who is exactly like you. It doesn't matter how many people might tell you that you should be like someone else, be it a role model like Jürgen Klopp or Hansi Flick. You are and remain...
The role of the ego in your life: Friend or foe?
Introduction and importance of the ego The ego plays a central role in our daily lives. It influences our actions, our self-image and how we are perceived by others. The ego is not bad per se; it is an essential part of our personality and our drive. But as with...
Compromises: A concept on the test bench
Introduction to the topic of compromises Compromise - the central theme that runs through our daily lives. From an early age, we learn that we have to constantly compromise in relationships and at work in order to be happy and satisfied. But is this really the right...
Forever underpaid: How to join the “league of top earners” in your industry
More money is always possible, I keep hearing from candidates in interviews. Sure, we can increase your annual salary by 5% - but is that really the decisive factor? I'm sure you've already asked yourself what you need to change so that you can move up into the...
Breaking the circle of excuses: Your path to a self-determined life
Everyone knows it: a small problem arises and an excuse immediately pops into your head. Excuses are a dime a dozen and we all use them - often unconsciously. But it is precisely these excuses that prevent you from leading a self-determined life. The first step out of...
Discipline and honesty
Breaking the circle of excuses: Your path to a self-determined life
Your path to a self-determined life: Mastering challenges and finding inner strength
Introduction and personal background I would like to share my story with you. Perhaps you will recognize yourself in some parts. My path was anything but straightforward. From management consultant to managing director to headhunter - this path was characterized by...