immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Führungskraft

  • Roman Mayer takes over as Head of the Federal Office for Spatial Development

    Roman Mayer takes over as Head of the Federal Office for Spatial Development

    Roman Mayer will take over as Head of the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) on 1 October 2025. The 51-year-old from Nidwalden brings with him in-depth knowledge from his previous role as Deputy Director at the Federal Office of Energy and is considered an expert in complex authorisation procedures, legislative processes and sectoral planning.

    With his legal training and his positions in various cantonal administrations, Lucerne, Basel-Landschaft and Bern, Mayer stands for a balanced combination of expertise, administrative practice and strategic foresight.

    Spatial development as the key to location attractiveness
    The ARE is at the centre of spatially relevant future issues such as overall transport, settlement development, sustainable use of resources, maintaining quality of life and promoting economic areas. Under the new management, it is expected that these challenges will be tackled in an even more networked manner – with coherent, forward-looking planning across sectors and spatial types.

    This is a key message for investors, project developers and location managers. The federal government is strengthening the planning framework and thus promoting stable and attractive investment areas in the long term.

    Generational change with vision
    Roman Mayer succeeds Maria Lezzi, who has headed the Federal Office since 2009 and will retire at the end of September. Her era was characterised by far-reaching impulses in spatial planning and the sustainable development of Switzerland. The Federal Council would like to thank her for her many years of service.

    In Mayer, a high-profile personality is now taking over who will continue to think about and shape spatial development in the context of social, ecological and economic transformation.

  • Empathy as a leadership competence

    Empathy as a leadership competence

    The construction and property industry and other sectors of the economy are facing increasingly complex challenges. Managers who not only manage functional processes but also take social and ethical aspects into account are more in demand than ever. In the two-day practical seminar at the FHNW, Prof Peter Gruber teaches proven techniques for using empathy in a targeted manner in day-to-day management.

    Empathy can be learnt
    According to Prof. Gruber, there are two forms of empathy: emotional, intuitive and rational-professional empathy. The latter is crucial for managers in order to understand employees without overburdening themselves emotionally. In management positions in particular, it is essential to consciously develop this skill in order to promote sustainable relationships and a healthy corporate culture.

    Leadership versus management: a fundamental difference
    While management primarily focuses on figures, data and facts, successful leadership also encompasses psychological, social and ethical dimensions. Gruber emphasises: “The main tool of a manager is the conversation, not the Excel sheet.” Leadership means not only demanding performance, but also recognising and supporting employees as people.

    Appreciative leadership as a success factor
    Modern leadership is both performance-orientated and people-oriented. Companies that focus on a respectful and meaningful work culture benefit in the long term from motivated employees and a positive working atmosphere. Enjoyment of work increases when employees recognise the meaning of their work, work in a climate of honesty and are encouraged.

    A seminar with practical added value
    The practical seminar “Leading with empathy” will take place on 17 and 18 September 2025 at the FHNW in Brugg. It is aimed at managers who want to develop their social skills in a targeted manner and implement sustainable, successful leadership.