When did work last truly inspire you? Not "quite nice", but really? I give that question a fixed spot on a regular basis – in a format I call the BeGeisterstunde, literally an "hour of enthusiasm". Small, honest, effective. 🙂
The BeGeisterstunde is a simple tool for organizational and culture development. It creates a safe, recurring space where people from across the organization come together, exchange ideas and learn from one another – beyond project status and to-do lists. Ideally it runs at regular intervals and is facilitated, so it does not get buried by day-to-day business.
The format works on its own – but it is at its most powerful when it accompanies an ongoing organizational or culture development effort. That is when a nice meeting turns into a real engine for change.
Why bother? Because enthusiasm is contagious. It rarely appears on command, but rather where people get the room to honestly share what moves them. That is exactly the room the BeGeisterstunde builds – reliably and without much overhead.
The thread is individual and depends on the organization. A clear, consistent rhythm has proven its worth – so everyone knows what to expect. Here is how it looked at AppSphere AG, for example:
An open round on a topic one participant prepares – sometimes professional, sometimes personal, always with substance. Good sources are, for example, managerSeminare, TrainerKoffer or intrinsify. The goal: set an impulse that invites further thinking. (approx. 15–30 min)
A quick look at the tasks and ideas that emerged from earlier rounds. This keeps the BeGeisterstunde from becoming an end in itself – it actually moves things. (approx. 15 min)
The heart of the format: an open round where everyone shares real experiences and stories – at work and in private. This is where closeness grows, and often where the best sparks fly. (approx. 15 min)
To wrap up, we collect tricks and tools that make life easier. Small levers, big effect – knowledge from the crew for the crew. (approx. 15 min)
At AppSphere AG the BeGeisterstunde runs online via MS Teams and is recorded, so even those who cannot join live get something out of it. A dedicated space for exchange and follow-up rounds it off.
The BeGeisterstunde was not designed on a drawing board – it started as a grassroots initiative at AppSphere AG. The idea was simple: give people a space to exchange ideas beyond day-to-day business, to tap into the knowledge and skills of the crew and to pass them on. An experiment turned into a fixed ritual. And because requirements and conditions keep changing, the format keeps evolving too – and that is exactly its charm.
Great idea – but one important note first: you can never force something like this. The BeGeisterstunde lives off your own culture and off people taking part voluntarily. The good news: in most organizations there are already people who are passionate about such topics and where you will be pushing at open doors.
If you like, we develop a version together that fits your organization – from a first pilot format to lasting integration into everyday work. Where would your first BeGeisterstunde take place?
Let's talk about your BeGeisterstunde
