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Is a strong peer network the key to staying grounded?

Is a strong peer network the key to staying grounded?

In leadership roles, maintaining a solid peer network is crucial for effective team management and personal well-being. Axel Stokinger emphasizes that sharing experiences with trusted colleagues can help prevent emotional exhaustion and burnout, particularly in high-pressure environments. He advocates for open communication about both professional and personal challenges, which fosters a reciprocal trust essential for a healthy workplace. By cultivating relationships grounded in mutual support, leaders can better navigate their careers and align with company values while also focusing on career planning. According to Axel Stokinger, a robust peer group can serve as a vital feedback mechanism, ensuring leaders recognize when it's time to pause and regain balance. Don’t miss more tips and insights on leadership and team management in the full episode.

2026·Season 3·Episode 7Highlight
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Axel Stokinger · Former Head of Sales

Leadership insights

Watch the full "The Unboxing Talks" Serie

Transcription

00:03

THE ROLE OF A GROUP OF WORK COLLEAGUES

00:10

"Is having a solid peer network the key to staying in touch with reality?" During my working life, I had an experience that helped me.

00:20

At the time, I think I was 40 years old when I realized that it was becoming increasingly important to share moments with people I trusted.

00:35

And to make them empathize with the personal situation of a director.

00:42

In part, it was about people, and I mean just a few people,just three or four, there's no need for a large number,with whom I always communicated a lot,to analyse certain situations, but also to discuss personal matters,from private issues to health issues,because unfortunately that also happens in the life of a director,when at some point you get the feeling that everything could collapse at any moment.

01:15

That's why it was always crucial for me to find people,and thank God I found them, with whom I could discuss certain issues.

01:24

People who also opened up to me to ask for help.Why is that so important?

01:30

Because you're constantly driven by the urge to do more,to grow even further, to keep producing.

01:36

At some point, you cross a line without even noticing.

01:41

But the body is aware of those limits.And then comes an emotional exhaustion that can lead to burnout in the worst case.

01:49

And, to avoid this kind of things, I learned that it's good to have a a network around me, a peer group,with whom I could talk about these issues,so they could hit the brakes for me in time by giving me feedback,so that I could say to myself: "Alex, it's time to stop.

02:09

Now you have to focus on other matters and try to regain balance in your life, stop constantly putting work first,and stop consuming energy you might need later in life." So where can a true peer group be found?

02:31

Well, you can't just put out an ad to look for one.

02:33

It grows naturally out of human relationships, when you realize that there are certain contacts you trust and that trust is reflected back.

02:42

They can be executives, managers, at a higher executive level If you're lucky, that can happen to you.

02:52

Some people don't necessarily have to be from the same professional field.

02:57

I had a good friend with whom I could talk about these kinds of topics, we shared everything.

03:02

Of course, some topics were complicated at times,but trust is the most important driver.

03:13

If you have that trust, you'll realize it won't be betrayed.on the contrary, it's reciprocal.

03:18

From my point of view, that is something important.

03:22

I would like to share this lesson,if you stay open and try to build that peer network,you'll be able to notice exhaustion in time, in order to avoid crashing.