Timo Pelster’s Post

Embracing Queer Joy In Pride Month It's a small tradition for me to write down some thoughts every year during #PrideMonth, on Pride Month. And as we celebrate this year, it’s essential to acknowledge the inhumane developments facing the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide. The rise of violence, threats against queer rights, supported by the growing influence of right-wing parties paint a dark picture. Yet, amidst these challenges, the significance of #QueerJoy has never been more crucial. Last year, when posting my thoughts, Daniela Schubert made me aware of this again when most of my writing circled around negative emotions. Why Queer Joy Matters Queer Joy is not just a fleeting emotion; it is a powerful act of resistance and resilience. In a world where being queer often means navigating prejudice and hostility, finding and expressing joy is a radical affirmation of one’s identity and humanity. It serves as a reminder that despite the challenges, the LGBTQIA+ community will continue to thrive, love, and find happiness. Queer Joy As Strong Response In recent years, we have seen a troubling trend of increasing restrictions on LGBTQIA+ rights across various parts of the globe. Laws targeting trans individuals, rollbacks on marriage equality, and the silencing of queer voices in media are just a few examples. This regression not only harms the community but also threatens to erase lots of the progress made over decades of activism. Amid these setbacks, celebrating Queer Joy becomes an act of defiance. It is a way to reclaim our narratives, to show that our identities cannot be legislated out of existence, and to highlight the strength and vibrancy of the queer community. Creating Safe Spaces for Joy It’s crucial for allies and community members alike to foster environments where Queer Joy can flourish. This involves actively working against discrimination, supporting inclusive policies, and celebrating queer identities not just during Pride Month, but throughout the year. Employers can play a pivotal role by ensuring their workplaces are inclusive and supportive. This can range from implementing comprehensive non-discrimination policies to fostering an environment where employees feel safe and valued. Such actions not only support queer employees but also contribute to a more diverse and innovative workforce. Amplifying Queer Voices One way to celebrate Queer Joy is by amplifying the voices and stories of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Sharing personal narratives, successes, and experiences on platforms like LinkedIn can inspire and connect others within the community. These stories are powerful tools for visibility and advocacy, reminding us that there is joy and strength in our identities. The Role of Pride Pride Month is more than a series of parades and events; it is a testament to the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a time to honor those who have fought tirelessly for our rights and to draw inspiration from their courage.

I'm now a part of the Shopware crew 🚀 What an exciting start to 2024: after working on a few very exciting projects last year as a freelance consultant in the context of people experience, learning frameworks and remote collaboration, from supporting small start-ups to consulting the EU in Brussels, I realized at the end of 2023 that I was missing two important components: a team, and the experience of seeing what my work changes in an organization in the short and long term. I'm thrilled to share that I'm now back in 'my industry' of eCommerce Tech, after being part of Frontastic and commercetools before, joining the Shopware People & Culture crew on a mission as Learning & Development Expert. I'm looking forward a lot to working with Paul Grave and the amazing People & Culture crew on creating learning experiences and development opportunities, growing as a team and as individuals. Let's go, Shopware 🙌 #newbeginnings #shopware #learninganddevelopment

The transparency rationale In my experience, especially in building the Frontastic organization, I learned that 'transparency first' isn't just a value or principle, it's a powerful tool in shaping the dynamics of teams. For distributed teams, transparency goes far beyond the mere sharing of information. It builds a foundation of trust and clarity that is crucial in an environment where face-to-face interactions are limited. By fostering an atmosphere where every team member understands the rationale behind decisions, the status of ongoing projects, and the challenges being faced, we create a culture of inclusivity and shared responsibility. This level of openness allows team members to contribute meaningfully, offer insights, and feel a part of the bigger picture, regardless of their location. Moreover, transparency enables a deeper level of sharing about oneself. It encourages bringing the full self to work, creating an environment that is instrumental in enabling resilient, diverse, and high-performance teams. When team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences openly, it not only enriches the team's perspective but also fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance. This psychological safety not only makes a great team and culture, but directly translates into business value, too. At Frontastic, embracing transparency meant that every team member felt valued and heard. This approach led to a culture where learning from failures was as celebrated as achieving success, encouraging a risk-taking and innovative mindset. Such a culture, born out of transparency, becomes a strong and enduring part of the organization, influencing how team members interact, solve problems, learn, and innovate. The role of transparency in our evolving landscape of work models is pivotal and more than a management tool; it's a strategic asset essential for building teams that are not just collaborative and innovative, but also diverse and resilient in facing the challenges ahead of us. #transparency #remote #culture #learning #collaboration ______________________________________ The picture shows one of our Frontastic values visualized by the wonderful Sofia back in the days, shared as postcards with every team member by Tobias.

Today is Coming-Out-Day, and it feels more important this year than it has been anyway since it has started in 1988. Coming out is a life-changing event, which can be both positive and negative. And it usually does not remain a single event. As a queer person, I come out over and over again - at work, at the hotel reception, when I meet new people. There are many moments and some feel routine and safe, in many other moments I weigh whether it's safe, whether there might be negative consequences. Those seconds in my head are sometimes internalized homophobia, sometimes very real concerns, due to very real experiences. Meanwhile, I am mostly routine and only rarely unsettled because I have an environment in which I feel safe. And many people who experience their first coming out today do so in a more informed, safer environment. Many, but by no means all - too few. But why does it feel more important than usual this year? We are seeing an upsurge of right-wing parties in Germany and other parts of the world, with more and more people publicly advocating these ideologies. Some are actually standing behind it, some just think it would be the 'better choice'. In any case, these people — whether they want or not — put freedom and security, put people's lives at stake. I am very worried when I look at current election results. Will we be safe? Will we have a safe and happy future? Will we have to start over if this trend continues, and where? I would like to use this day to join all the voices calling to rethink one's own privileges, to understand one's own power of (electoral) voice and to stop this unreflective and inhuman political trend together. #comingoutday #queerrights #noafd

After several months of building my freelance consulting business, I've discovered that my expertise in remote team scaling is especially valuable for remote and hybrid companies in creating an exceptional onboarding experience. Inspired by many exchanges with fellow remote leaders, I'm redirecting my focus towards exactly this: creating world-class remote onboarding experiences, leveraging my extensive background in globally scaling remote teams. Onboarding is a field where I can focus my various passions as a Design Thinker, a DEIB Advocate, and a Collaboration Designer to make every single touchpoint a positive, value-creating experience. So, expect more content around this topic in the future and, if you like, share and spread the word. #RemoteOnboarding #OnboardingExperience #RemoteWork

From a workshop I had the pleasure of facilitating with a fantastic team. It's not every day that a single sentence can shift an entire team's mindset, but that's exactly what happened. The phrase, "In People Experience, empathy is our new currency; let's spend it generously," surfaced during our discussions and immediately changed the game. The power of this idea was palpable, and it wasn't merely an emotional touchpoint. It served as a conceptual gateway for the team to start embracing more sophisticated approaches like Experience Mapping and Design Thinking. Where metrics and KPIs had previously taken center stage, the focus subtly but significantly shifted towards human-centric models. As a consultant, it's a privilege to witness such transformative moments. They underscore the importance of balancing hard skills and soft skills, technology and humanity, in the quest for operational excellence. So as teams and organizations strive to better their People Experience, remember that empathy is not just a "nice-to-have," but a crucial asset that fosters deeper understanding and more meaningful solutions. #ConsultingInsights #PeopleExperience #Empathy #DesignThinking #ExperienceMapping

As a Highly Sensitive Person and a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I've always experienced the world in a rich tapestry of emotions and perceptions. This unique perspective has often been a guiding compass in my life and career. When starting my first remote job a couple of years ago, I have found myself plunging into the ocean of challenges that remote working can present. I remember being on Zoom calls with downright uncountable people, their voices overlapping, each trying to make their point, and it was occasionally overwhelming for my sensitive brain. Not to mention real-life retreats and co-workings, which can be a real balancing act for highly sensitive people. Being a former leadership member for People functions at global SaaS Tech companies, I tried to take these difficulties in stride. I sought to turn them into opportunities for growth, not just for me, but the entire organization. The dichotomy of virtual and real-life interactions, the delicate balancing act between work and personal life, and the energy required to stay afloat in this environment became my daily life. But it also allowed me to contribute by creating and nurturing workspaces with more understanding, empathy, and inclusivity. As a queer individual, I have often recognized and personally felt the importance of such safe spaces. I've been reminded, time and again, of the necessity for workplaces to not just tolerate, but celebrate (and strategize) diversity. So here's my personal call to action for any remote social impact company out there: let me lend you my experience. I am offering one day of free consulting to a company devoted to making a difference. Drop me a DM, let's build a better, inclusive tomorrow. One company will be randomly selected. #QueerInTech #FightForInclusivity #HighlySensitive #SocialImpact

Every. Second. Job posting. No, you are not a remote company. You're hybrid, but you're trying to take advantage of the term 'remote' for your recruiting. Is it that hard to stand by your own organizational strategy? Do you really think people don't notice that what you write on the package is not what's in it? The only thing you're accomplishing is loading up your employer brand with frustration. You can do better. It's okay to be hybrid.

A lesson learned from traveling Icelandic nature This summer, I had the unparalleled experience of traveling through Iceland’s vast landscapes together with my husband — equipped with a camper van and nothing but the bare essentials. The journey was eye-opening, not just due to the beauty of this country, but also in how this style of travel relates to my work in designing People Experience and Collaboration in distributed teams. Why Less is More In Iceland, having only what you truly need allows you to be agile, focused, and entirely present in the moment. This got me thinking about our remote work environments. Often, our virtual workspaces are cluttered with unused apps, redundant communication channels, and overlapping project management tools. What if we adopted the same 'minimalist' approach to our remote work settings? What if we decluttered our digital spaces, optimized the tools we use, and kept only those processes that genuinely add value? Tools and Processes Don’t get me wrong, having the right tools is essential. But more doesn't always mean better. Evaluate what each tool or process contributes to your team's workflow. If it's not serving a specific purpose, it's just taking up space and potentially causing confusion. Trust the Team Ultimately, this minimalist approach rests on trust. We need to trust our team members to manage their responsibilities effectively with the resources they truly need, not the ones we think they should have. As we navigate the complexities of remote work, let’s take a page out of nature’s book and focus on what truly matters. Minimalism isn't about having less; it's about making room for more of what matters. Would love to hear your thoughts! Has a minimalist approach worked for your remote team? #RemoteWork #TeamCulture #Minimalism #NewWork #PeopleExperience