REMEMBERING A MOMENT OF FLOW

“Flow finds me in three very different worlds – yet in each, the experience is the same: total presence, absolute clarity, and a deep sense of connection. I first tasted it as a professional dancer, choreographing a 90-minute piece for over 20 performers. The music drives
everything – every breath, every step, every lift. In those moments, there’s no space for thought, only instinct. One misstep can throw the whole group off, so everyone must be in sync, fully alive in their bodies, attuned to the rhythm and each other. I also find flow on the waves, waiting for the right moment, feeling the ocean’s pulse beneath my board. Surfing demands presence – there’s no forcing the sea, no shortcuts. When I catch the wave, there’s a split-second of stillness, then motion takes over. Adjusting my weight, reading the water, trusting my body – not thinking, just being. And then there’s my family. Flow shows up in long conversations with my wife and daughter,in laughter that leaves us breathless, or in quiet moments when emotions run deep and tears come freely. With them, time bends. I’m not performing or planning – I’m just there, heart open, deeply connected, responding to whatever life brings us. These moments are raw, real, and sacred. They remind me that flow isn’t just about peak performance. Sometimes, it’s about being fully human.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Sebastian’s journey into leadership began in the army, where he served as an instructor and group leader in Basic Military Training (BMT) for the German Air Force. There, he embodied a principle that would become central to his leadership philosophy: People do what people see. Leading by example – not just in outcomes, but in posture, conduct, and presence – earned him formal recognition from his commanding officers. He was seen as a role model not only to new recruits, but even to senior ranks. It was in those formative years that Sebastian first understood what it truly means to lead with integrity. Later, he expanded his understanding of human performance through work in the performing arts, where he discovered another dimension of leadership: visibility. On stage, as in life, presence matters. He saw how movement and posture shape not just how others perceive us, but what we believe is possible. It reinforced his conviction that leadership isn’t just about saying the right things – it’s about showing up in such a way that people are enrolled to follow you.

Today, Sebastian is an executive coach and leadership trainer with over a decade of experience supporting leaders across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. He is dedicated to personal leadership through high-impact experiential self-awareness work and ontological coaching. He specializes in designing and implementing sustainable leadership development initiatives, as well as coaching leaders and leadership teams. He has worked with startups, midsize firms, and Fortune 500 companies such as Shell, Sony, Staffbase, Accenture, Petronas, Sapiens, and Bharat Forge. One of his most significant was designing and delivering a three-year culture transformation program at a family-owned

German company, which helped restructure the business and raised employee engagement to 95%. He also coached Olympic athlete Marcel Nguyen for a national TV appearance – supporting him in transferring his athletic confidence into a new and vulnerable context. Marcel later shared: “Coaching with Sebastian was a lot of fun – and in the end, I was perfectly prepared for my new challenge.” In addition to his client work, Sebastian regularly writes and speaks on topics such as self- awareness, generative leadership, and the ontological foundations of effective leadership. His two Amazon bestselling young adult books, Fading Darkness and Wundervoll, combine storytelling with practical insight. He resides between Germany and Singapore with his wife and daughter.