The lean expert collective
for digital transformation
& cultural renewal
The lean expert collective for digital transformation
We sift through the chaos & find the point of maximum leverage.
We break up old structures, guide you through the first steps & empower your team to achieve your goals independently. What vision can we support you with?
our services
We break up old structures, guide you through the first steps & empower your team to achieve your goals independently. What vision can we support you with?
our services
“Smart leadership, clear messages, strong commitments: This is the Departure Project”
Tina Spießmacher, Transformation Advisor
Notes & ideas
How to break free
10 Critical traps companies fall into during digital transformation
The digital landscape is constantly shifting, yet many companies find themselves stuck in place despite new strategies, tools, and ambitious projects. Their transformation efforts stall not from lack of investment but from underlying patterns that undermine progress from within. Here are ten thinking traps that companies repeatedly fall into—and how to overcome them:
Podcast Recommendation
Understanding Why Systems Fail in Just Over an Hour
The Book I Wish Every Policymaker Would Read
I highly recommend listening to this episode of The Ezra Klein Show, featuring a conversation with Jennifer Pahlka, author of "Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better".
The episode kicks off with a powerful quote from the book. It serves as a perfect reminder to resist jumping to conclusions and instead take the time to delve deeper into the underlying issues: “When systems or organizations don’t work as you think they should, it is generally not because the people in them are stupid or evil. It is because they are operating according to structures and incentives that aren’t obvious from the outside.”
Enjoy!
From practice
Leading from Afar
I work in leadership positions but I’m almost never in the office. Some say this sounds impossible. I think it’s the perfect match.
In many of my roles as an interim leader, I’m not in the same city as the company I’m working with, and despite engagements that typically last six months or more, I choose not to relocate. Instead, I work remotely. This approach often raises eyebrows during contract negotiations, with concerns like, “You should be in the office at least twice a month for a few days.”
Newsletter
The personal stories
If you’re curious about the personal stories behind The Departure Project and the philosophy underlying it, you’re in the right place. In my newsletter, I’ll take you through my journey: What it took to move on from my startup baby, how I embarked on new projects, and the kind of life I’m building now – along with the whys and hows behind these decisions. Link in the footer.
Digital transformation
Bite-sized transformation: Evolving organizations one step at a time
The word "transformation" has lost its spark. It appears again and again on executive slide decks and in political speeches, leaving many feeling frustrated. With the world facing multiple crises, grand promises of transformation often fall flat. They seem too big to swallow.
Year in review
A lighthearted year in review: 12 questions
I put together some questions for myself to reflect on this year—a fun, thoughtful, and lighthearted way to look back at the past 12 months while setting the tone for the year ahead.
There is one spot available this fall!
Career mentoring
Ready to advance your career? We're offering a (paid) mentoring opportunity with Tina.
Guest expert spotlight
Beyond PDF manuals: How tool onboarding builds organizational change muscles
Forword: At the departure project, we’re are all about empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of digital transformation with confidence. One of the key challenges we’ve observed is the gap between technological innovation and the human capacity to adapt – a critical factor that often derails even the most promising innovative projects.
That’s why we’re thrilled to feature this expert article. It dives into the common pitfalls of traditional tool adoption approaches and offers actionable strategies for turning each new software rollout into a sustainable growth opportunity.
Call for Project
We’d love to work with you!
German Mittelstand looking to transform your organization? Are you in the process of introducing self-organized teams or making your current structures more flexible? If so, we want to hear from you!
Our services
Head and heart of Departure:
Tina Spießmacher
Over many years, Tina developed her creative problem solving skills in a variety of different roles. She has worked with over 50 organizations and leaders, launching and iterating even more business strategies, organizational models and digital products. The Departure Project is her newest project.