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
NEWS
Need a clear, neutral voice outside your organisation to spar on a challenge?
01/2026
Leadership expectations
When leaders are expected to have it all figured out
Leaders are expected to decide, move forward, and stay composed — even in uncertainty. But certainty comes at a cost. Let’s unpack the hidden pressure behind leadership roles and explore how to find orientation and focus without having it all figured out.
Success factors
What successful transformation programs get right
Here’s a shocking number: Only 12 % of major change programs produce lasting results.*
That means roughly 9 out of 10 times, companies pour time, money, and energy into slides and workshops – only to end up with… nothing.
How can that be?
The reasons are almost always the same
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:
Praise at work
A clap on zoom isn’t enough
If you know me, you know I’m not the kind of person who throws compliments around all the time.
And yet, I’m convinced: There’s far too little praise in German workplaces and when it happens, it’s often done wrong.
Praise is a powerful tool.
Meaning and responsibility
Stop waiting for fulfillment at work
Almost everyone I talk to wants their job to feel meaningful. Not just manageable. Not just something that pays the bills. But something that allows them to grow, contribute, and feel connected.
I get that. Here are seven steps to take fulfillment into your own hands.
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.
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.
