Daniel moves effortlessly between two worlds. In one of them, he guides clients through complex projects; in the other, he thinks about the future of Arineo as part of the executive board of the employees’ association and the
“I’m probably a bit of a workaholic, perfectionist, and a little crazy,” he says – and laughs. For him, one thing is clear: consultancy and participation are not mutually exclusive. They are two sides of the same responsibility.
In his role as a consultant, Daniel loves the variety. No two projects are the same; there are always new people, new topics, and new challenges. “I don’t like sitting with the same client for five years. I sometimes just need a change of scenery,” he says.
This dynamic drives him just as much as the team spirit. Daniel values open words and colleagues who think. Honesty is part of his everyday working life: if he’s convinced that an approach won’t work, he says so openly. Not to provoke, but because he believes that good advice only works on an equal footing.
His involvement in the employees’ association began unspectacularly – with a simple question: “Do you want to stand for election?” Daniel hesitated briefly, was finally convinced, and was eventually elected. A vote of confidence that moved him – and challenged him. “I had no idea about foundation work, and I’m not a numbers person,” he recalls. “But in a team, you quickly realize that everyone brings something different to the table – and that’s what makes it strong.”
What started as an experiment became an important part of his working life. Today, this commitment is second nature to him – an expression of truly living responsibility.
Reconciling consultancy and the board duties wasn’t easy at first. Client projects are running, deadlines are set, and there are still pressing internal issues. “In the beginning, I often thought that the client comes first because projects have to run smoothly – but the internal tasks are just as important. I had to learn that first.”
What helps him is trust. “I’m not alone. When you know that everyone on the executive board contributes their strengths and supports each other, it works.”
Daniel has particularly fond memories of the foundation’s early days:
“That was really exciting. We learned a lot, shaped things, thought things through, and wrote together. So many smart people who want to build something together – that was inspiring.”
For Daniel, it’s simple. Consulting and participation follow the same principle. “Both are about making things better. Sure, I like to complain sometimes. But I also don’t shy away from getting things done and making changes.”
This sentence runs through everything he does. Whether in client projects, internal processes, or the organization itself, Daniel is someone who looks closely, takes responsibility, and searches for solutions.
“At the end of the day, we all benefit from actively shaping our working environment,” he says. “I want us to feel good as a team – and I can contribute to that.”
When Daniel talks about Arineo, his eyes light up. “We are an incredibly open bunch. When someone new joins, they are welcomed immediately.” He likes this togetherness, characterized by trust and openness, but he also knows that growth brings new challenges. “We’ve grown quickly – that brings changes. Earlier, during the Corona era, it was like this: a crisis comes, everyone flinches, but everyone also pulls together. I sometimes miss that today. We need to get back to that.”
His words sound neither nostalgic nor critical – rather like someone who wants to help shape things. Someone who knows that change is part of it, but also that the community needs conscious care and attention.
Responsibility isn’t just a big word for Daniel, but a daily reality. “Everyone of us takes responsibility every day. It’s not something to put on your flag.” For him, actions count, not labels.
“I’m certainly not suited to everything – but if I see something where I can help, then I just do it. Why not?”
What drives Daniel is a mixture of pragmatism and the joy in shaping things. “Step on the gas – but have fun doing it,” he says. “There’s no point in working yourself into an early grave. But neither is resting on your laurels. Doing things, shaping things, with joy – that’s the way for me.”
Daniel’s attitude shows that consulting and participation aren’t opposites – but two sides of the same mindset: taking responsibility, improving things, growing together. Between projects, board meetings, and everyday life, he lives exactly what makes Arineo special – self-organization with heart and mind.
Are you Interested in taking ownership and having creative freedom?
You need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information