…. from the life of Renate Henning

Renate was born directly after the 2nd World War – and grew up on a farm in the Allgäu region of Germany in the first years of her life. Meadows, hills and mountains are as much a part of her basic experience as horses, cows and chickens.
She completed her schooling and her first degree in Munich: from 1967 to 1970 she studied primary and secondary school teaching at the University of Education in Munich and, in addition, philosophy, sociology and political science at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. Her teacher training focused on mathematics, Protestant religion, sport (skiing) and music (singing).

She completed her legal clerkship with the 2nd state examination/teaching office in North Rhine-Westphalia in February 1972 with the secure knowledge that she did not want to work as a teacher.

From autumn 1972 – 1975 she studied pedagogy with a focus on adult education at the RWTH Aachen University – later also together with her little son Robert, who soon got a taste of university life. The main focus was Catholic theology: diploma thesis with the topic: “Catholic adult education of the future”.

During this time there were first lectures and reflections on organisational development – these were inspiring moments during the entire training period.

Years followed with 3 children and a large interdenominational Christian residential community, in which Renate gave weekend seminars on various family and educational topics.
From 1982 onwards, she was frequently asked about personnel and organisational development. And she came into contact with Prof. Heijo Rieckmann, Klagenfurt and the OSTO system model. She was so fascinated by the training that ran through the seminar “Systemic Management” that she began consulting in companies and Ngo’s in 1985.
In 1992 OSTO Systemberatung GmbH was founded, in which her husband Klaus Henning was also a partner. From 1992 to 2013 Renate Henning was managing partner until 2022 she was senior partner of umlaut transformation GmbH.

Since its inception until today, “OSTO” has been committed to supporting companies in the upcoming changes – which have always been and will always be necessary.

Dealing with the dynamics, complexity and agility of leadership situations are central themes in Renate’s work. The impact on the individual plays a key role in this context, whether it is a matter of assuming responsibility in the corporate environment or in the non-profit sector. This is why she introduced the weekly seminar “Systemic Management” in Germany and spent about 52 weeks with this seminar design at the Schlosshotel St. Goar on the Rhine from 1991 to 2020.

About 1200 participants have been introduced to the socio-psychological aspects of the complex networks of organizations during her time as a manager and have experienced them first-hand during the seminar week. Renate’s successors continue this work very successfully with the seminar.

Renate has had the Change Manager Intensive Training recognized by TÜV Rheinland, which has been accepted in many ways, as to how this basic knowledge can be applied in the course of changes in a small and large organization.

Since 2014 Renate is working independently and as a systemic transformation consultant, enabling of managers in an increasingly complex world and the support of organizations in constant change.

Competencies

Management consulting, organizational development, change management:

• Project Management
• Change Management
• Process analysis, control and restructuring
• Workshop conception and implementation
• Large group moderation
• Individual Coaching

The clients are still today:

• Public sector (cities, clinics, universities, private companies)
• Industry (chemicals, technology, services, IT, consumer goods)
• Church organisations (administrative reorganisation of monasteries, communities etc.)
• corporations, cities and university clinics

Books/
Publications

• Egofalle (Ego trap)
• Zur Hoffnung erziehen (Educate to hope)

Training

• Teaching profession, 1st and 2nd state examination at the LMU and the Munich University of Applied Sciences, 1972
• Diploma in Education – Main focus: Adult education, organizational development at the RWTH Aachen University, 1977
• TÜV Change Manager according to OSTO
• SYMA® trainer for complexity management

Offers

Advice

• Business coaching of people in responsibility from all industries and personal support:
• Industrial environment, non-profit organisations, people in charge in voluntary work, Christian movements
• Diagnosis and monitoring of the associated organization
• Process analysis, control and restructuring
• Workshop conception and implementation
• One-day seminars on the consulting topics

Lectures

• You know the tricks? – Successful cooperation between women and men
• Avoid bankruptcies with the social core process
• Women and power – what do we dare to do?
• The ego trap – 7 ways to ruin your business
• Education in Christian responsibility
• Generational change in the family business – Insider tips for change
• Dynaxity – how to master the growing complexity and dynamics
• “Cooperation between men and women”
  Lecture at the Federal Association of Women in Business and Management.e.V.