Do you understand why others advance – and you don't?
Often it's not about your performance. It's about the invisible rules and structures that nobody talks about.
I help you understand what's really happening in your organization. Based on more than 30 years of work experience at a global company (from System Engineer to Director level) and 6 years as a senior advisor for various organizations.
Not traditional coaching. But analysis and explanation of your specific situation.
Book Free Initial Consultation – 30 MinutesDo You Know This?
You wonder why colleagues with less experience get promoted before you. Or why your suggestions in meetings are ignored, but later presented and implemented by others. Or why certain decisions are made the way they're made.
The problem: You only see the surface – the official structures, processes, and organizational charts.
But underneath, different mechanisms are at play: Informal networks, alliances, mutual dependencies, favors and reciprocity. And these often determine careers more than the official hierarchy.
As long as you don't recognize these mechanisms, many connections remain hidden from you.
About Me
Thomas Schurr
My name is Thomas Schurr and I have been working in various jobs and roles for more than 30 years. From apprentice to employee and specialist – from team leader to department head and director – from employee to self-employed. I have worked with local and international teams and led organizations spanning multiple continents.
During this time, I have:
- participated in countless team meetings, project discussions, and workshops, either as a participant or as a leader
- conducted many performance reviews, and had many conducted with me
- received goals and tasks, and assigned goals and tasks
- presented projects and ideas, and had projects and ideas presented to me
- hired employees, and was hired myself
I was involved in restructurings and led restructurings. Decisions were made about me, I was involved in decisions, and I made decisions myself.
Sometimes I was promoted, sometimes not. I didn't always get what I had in mind, and sometimes I only understood much later why it worked out or didn't.
Over time, I learned to recognize from whom support can be expected and from whom not. What needs to be done and what's better left alone. Where to engage and where to better steer clear.
More than 30 years of experience have shown me how the invisible rules and networks really work – not in theory, but in the lived reality of organizations.
Because I enjoy working with people and contributing to their success, I decided to pass on my knowledge to people who want to advance professionally.
Detailed information about my professional background and education can be found on LinkedIn.
My Approach
I explain to you what's really happening in your organization. Based on more than 36 years of experience – 30 years at a global company, followed by consulting for various organizations.
Not traditional coaching. No abstract models. But concrete analysis of your situation.
What I Do
Reality Explainer, Not Coach
I'm not a traditional coach. I don't work on your personal development and don't teach methods.
I analyze your specific situation and explain to you what's really happening.
How We Work:
1. Analyze Your Situation
- Where do you stand today?
- What structures, teams, and hierarchies exist?
- Who are the key people?
- What's the official narrative – and what's the reality behind it?
2. Understand the Invisible Mechanisms
- Who really has influence? (Often not those in the org chart)
- What informal networks exist?
- Why are decisions made this way?
- What are the unwritten rules?
3. Analyze Your Network
- Who supports you?
- Who benefits from you? Who do you benefit from?
- Where are the blockages?
- What connections are missing?
4. Develop Pathways
- How do you reach your goal – realistically?
- What obstacles are foreseeable?
- What alternatives exist?
- Who do you need to convince – and how?
5. Review and Adjustment
- Regular check-ins as needed
- Adjust the route with new developments
- Assess progress
The Difference
Coach vs. Reality Explainer
Traditional coaching focuses on personal development and asks: "What can you change?" It works with tools, frameworks, and abstract models.
My approach is different: I analyze your specific situation and help you understand what's really happening. I show you the informal structures that determine careers – based on more than 36 years of experience in various organizations.
Traditional Coaching
Personal development
My Approach
Situation and system analysis
Traditional Coaching
"What can you change?"
My Approach
"What's really happening and why?"
Traditional Coaching
Tools and frameworks
My Approach
Insider knowledge from 30 years at a global company
Traditional Coaching
Abstract concepts
My Approach
Concrete explanations of your situation
Traditional Coaching
Long-term programs
My Approach
Focused analysis + action plan
I explain the reality that others don't see or won't speak about.
Who Is This For?
My offering is suitable for you if you:
- Work in a medium to large organization (30+ employees, multiple hierarchy levels)
- Want to understand why you're not advancing
- Are a leader or want to become one
- Need concrete answers, not theoretical models
Not suitable for:
- Small startups or companies with fewer than 30 employees (the mechanisms work differently there)
- Self-employed individuals without an organizational context
Unsure? Book an initial consultation and we'll figure it out together.
Typical Questions
These are the types of questions we analyze together:
- Why are others promoted before you – despite less experience?
- Who really decides on promotions in your organization?
- What influence do regular performance and development reviews have?
- What informal networks exist and how do they influence decisions?
- Why are your suggestions ignored or "adopted" by others?
- How does decision-making really work in your company?
- How do you navigate through reorganizations?
- What alliances do you need and how do you build them?
How We Work
Step 1: Initial Consultation (30 min, free)
You describe your situation. I share initial assessments. We determine if I can help you.
Step 2: Analysis (1-2 sessions)
We analyze your organization: structures, key people, informal networks, blockages. We create a picture of the real mechanisms.
Step 3: Path Planning
We develop concrete steps, anticipate obstacles, and define who you need to convince.
Step 4: Support (as needed)
Regular check-ins (every 2-4 weeks), strategy adjustment with new developments, support during implementation.
Duration: Depends on your situation – from 2-3 sessions to several months of support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this coaching?
No. I analyze your situation and explain what's really happening – based on 36 years of experience in various organizations.
How long does it take?
It depends on your situation. Some cases are resolved after 2-3 sessions, others require longer support over several months.
What does it cost?
We'll discuss this in the initial consultation, depending on your situation and scope. The initial consultation itself is free.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Everything stays between us.
Does this work remotely?
Yes, I conduct most sessions via video call.
Does this work in my industry?
If your organization has 50+ employees and multiple hierarchy levels: Yes. The mechanisms are similar across industries.
What if I work at a smaller company?
In smaller organizations, the dynamics often work differently – my approach is primarily designed for larger structures. Whether it still fits? Let's find out in a free initial consultation.
Next Step
If you want to understand what's really happening in your organization, we can discuss your situation in a free 30-minute initial consultation.
I'll share my assessment with you, and we'll determine if I can help you.
Book Initial Consultation – 30 Minutes, Freeor via online form.