Homecoming and landing — rarely have these two words felt so close to each other as they did on this evening at Café Curioso in Oberndorf am Neckar.
A place that carries its own story: once part of a bookshop, now an independent café that still holds traces of its past. A fitting setting for the premiere of my book Prepare for Landing: Leitlinien für interkulturelle Führung (transl.: Guiding Principles for Intercultural Leadership).
It was less a traditional reading and more a book presentation followed by an open exchange. And it was this dialogue that made the evening special.
People from in and around my hometown came together to talk about themes that have accompanied me for decades: cultural diversity, language as a bridge, leadership as the art of relationship, the power of small gestures, and the inevitability of big misunderstandings.
As I spoke, I became aware of how deeply my global experiences are woven into this place. Oberndorf was the starting point of my journey and now it is also the place where my book “lands” publicly for the first time. A circle that closes without truly closing. Because every question, every thought from the audience opened new perspectives:
- What role do storytelling, brezels and beer play in leading across cultures,
- How differently farewells are celebrated around the world, and
- How travel changes us
The evening at Café Curioso was a moment of resonance for me. A pause. A conversation between past and present. And a small impulse for future landings for me and for those who continue their own journeys.
And now I’m curious: What thought moves you when you think of your own hometown?
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Strong intercultural leadership empowers global teams to work together with clarity, trust, and impact. In my book, you’ll find four actionable practices that will help you elevate collaboration across cultures. I am Bernd Scharbert and happy to support you.
The e-book is available at the online shop of Verlag Barbara Budrich as well as the print version. In German language, though, as I am now working on the English translation.
