Apr 30, 2026
Workshop Leaders of tomorrow - Democratic responsibility in polarized times
Studierende nehmen als Fragende auf dem freien Stuhl Platz
On April 22, 2026, we welcomed 15 students to this year's networking event for scholarship holders of the Fördergesellschaft in the Fritz-Foerster-Bau. This year's teaching award winner Dr. Benedikt Kapteina (IHI Zittau) held a workshop together with the participants on the topic of "Leaders of tomorrow - democratic responsibility in polarized times".
Studierende im Gespräch mit Sebastian Thielmann
A manager is confronted with anti-democratic statements in the team. Employees expect a clear position, others warn against political polarization. Which decision is professional - and responsible? In an increasingly polarized society, companies and other organizations are facing precisely these kinds of challenges. Questions of positioning, neutrality and democratic responsibility have long been concrete questions of leadership. Students, as future managers, will also be confronted with similar conflicts of objectives in their respective professional contexts. In such situations, leadership means making decisions under normative uncertainty.
Studierende im Gespräch mit Sebastian Thielmann
The workshop was followed by a panel discussion with Sebastian Thielmann, deputy board member of Ostsächsische Sparkasse Dresden. He reported on his experiences in this context and vividly explained the impact of his company in terms of its regional focus. The chosen fishbowl format allowed the participants to take a seat themselves and ask questions in a targeted manner. During the discussion, it became clear that it is always necessary to weigh up the interests and alternative courses of action, which should always be negotiated together in a communicative manner.
Many thanks to Benedikt Kapteina for his input and the support provided by our long-standing OSD company member.