Name: Kerstin Rheinlander

Title: Personal Travel Manager

Organisation: TravelManagers

As a seasoned travel expert, I specialise in creating bespoke European and wellness travel experiences for discerning leisure travelers. With meticulous planning and a focus on enriching health and well-being, I deliver journeys that exceed expectations.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Kerstin's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a leader, I often find it challenging to balance multiple priorities while maintaining a clear vision and promoting collaboration. I am to embrace change but still keep my team motivated and inspired. Communication is key to ensuring we are all on the same page and also to creating trust.

I often have to make decisions that may impact a team member or a client but I do so by staying true to who I am and my values. As a leader I am constantly learning and adapting, however, I try to be honest with myself and others that I do not have all the answers but that I take a team to make it work.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I was thrown in the deep end - in my travel business I work with a team of 2 in my job as Terminal Manager at Port of Brisbane I lead a team of 80. I thought I had the capacity to manage 80 staff and volunteered to step up. Best decision and one of the hugest learning curves I have had so far. In my travel business, I have a team of 2 admins who came to me by necessity to take over some admin and support roles to leave me to do what I do best.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Rise to a short meditation and then 45 minutes of fitness, followed by a hearty breakfast. As I work from home the office is not far. High-priority tasks are managed first with time blocked out for training and education on a daily basis. Daily communication with the team to advise on daily tasks to be started or completed.

End-of-day review and pre-planning for the next day. Through the day breaks for water, coffee, lunch, etc to move away from the desk. On stressful days I build in a 30-minute walk in nature. There is always time for family dinners to discuss the day. Approx 1 hour before sleep I wind down with the last positive thoughts and end-of-day gratitude journal as well as setting intentions for the next day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

To align myself with my values - if I make decisions keeping my values and boundaries in mind, regardless of people or services, I am on a winning streak.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

There are too many to tell - lately, the 12 12-week year by Brian Moran has been instrumental in elevating my productivity and results. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield have also had of impact on the way I do things.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Learn from the best, and engage a mentor who challenges you to step up and outside your comfort zone and find your tribe.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? I do not see myself as a leader but as a guide. Every weekend I guide my team of 80 to improve and step up serving our customers but I also lead by example. I acknowledge the skills and the capacity of each and every team member and place them where they can excel. We have a common goal of remaining at the top of the leaderboard of customer service excellence - achieved last year, and hopefully on track to achieve it again this year.