Intense Life with Nicola Flückiger
Welcome to Intense Life, where we explore how to pursue more enterprising, high-performing, and focused lives. Serial entrepreneurs approach life with maximum intensity, and this show is here to share how you can, too. I'm Nicola, a startup enthusiast and your host. In this podcast, my guests and I share lessons from founding companies and living productive lives. Join us and stay intense!
Intense Life with Nicola Flückiger
#159: COO Reveals: This Is How You Strengthen The Bond With Your Employees - Stefan Baer, Chief Operating Officer Of Stadler Rail US
#159: In this episode, my guest is Stefan Baer, the chief operating officer (COO) of Stadler Rail US, a Swiss railway rolling stock manufacturer.
Having a deep relationship with your own employees can be challenging as an executive, especially if you lead hundreds of people like Stefan. However, Stefan has found a routine that has dramatically elevated the bond with his team.
Expect to learn the three characteristics of Stefan as a COO, what a typical day in the life of a COO looks like, the first time speaking in front of a huge crowd as an executive, how to become good at math, how to set the right priorities as a manager, what skip-level interviews are, his career at STADLER RAIL and much more.
Timestamps
- (00:02:00) The relationship between a sense of urgency and success.
- (00:10:30) Why did he start an apprenticeship as an automation technician?
- (00:16:20) How to follow through.
- (00:25:40) Identity, growth mindset, and how to become good at math.
- (00:31:20) Reflecting on actions and being able to admit mistakes.
- (00:44:03) Being a service manager at ABB.
- (00:52:40) His ice hockey journey and its impact on his career.
- (01:07:50) Carl Jung's psychological theory and what drives Stefan as a COO at STADLER RAIL.
- (01:21:46) The first time speaking in front of a huge crowd as a COO.
- (01:25:03) Three characteristics of Stefan as a COO.
- (01:31:55) Skip-level interviews.
- (01:41:19) About his engineering education.
- (01:58:25) His success habits to perform high as an executive.
- (02:07:37) A typical day in the life of a COO and what provides mental stimulation.
- (02:15:05) Advice to 20-year-old Stefan.
- (02:18:40) Three life lessons he would like to be remembered for.
Stefan Baer
Things Mentioned
- Cal Newport: "Follow Your Passion" Is Bad Advice
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
- David Goggins
- How I Developed Confidence (Alex Hormozi)
- My German interview with the CEO of the SPAETER Group, Thomas Freuler
- What Is a Skip-Level Meeting? (And How to Prepare for One)
- $100M Leads by Alex Hormozi
- 3 Traits of the Most Successful
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
Nicola Flückiger
Contact Me
- Email me with any feedback, ideas, or insights you've gained from the episodes: nicolafluckiger.me@gmail.com