I'm a ServiceDesigner and Creative Coach with an artistic, graphic and systemic background. With my playful, visual and cocreative approach I support in team, leadership, change and innovation topics, inspire new products and business models and promote personal development. I'm also known as a passionate networker, interviewer, art curator, mentor and sportsman.

As a new work innovator and explorer on an expedition through the world of work you will find me at changing locations. Get inspired on my blog and in my newsletter.

find out what's next

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piloting

ai/nudge

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find out what's next //////////////////// piloting ai/nudge ////////////////////

Thomas Weltner

‘The guy with the yellow sticky notes.’

With my clients you will find me in playful designed environments – for reasons. I deeply believe in creativity as our most valuable resource from childhood on.

That is why I am characterized by a particularly creative and interactive approach to tasks, projects and processes.

play seriously!

To bring this into reality, my coachings and workshops embrace visualizing, building and interacting – in both a co-creative, playful, humorous but likewise serious way.

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This is what my clients say:

‘We were able to develop our business from different perspectives, e.g. from the customer’s one. – I’ve got a better understanding of our organisation because I was able to experience it holisticly, tangibly and in motion. – As a team and as employees we all participated equally and individually. We've never done that before.’

More authentic feedback.

selected Clients & Projects

Cases – Selection of Project References (german) (PDF)

Conal Team & Leadership Coaching for Business Innovation and Change Visual Facilitation Service Design NEO KI Innovation Hub Business & Service Design Coaching GLS Bank Team Development Leadership Coaching Organizational Design Picard Team and Values Development Grohe Service Design & Product Development Concerto Köln Team and Brand Coaching for the Wagner Readings Project Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences Team & Leadership Coaching for a new Space Development City of Düsseldorf Moderation and Mediation in the context of Citizen Participation in Urban Infrastructure überkochen e.V. Team Coaching Manxdesign Mediation Change Team Development Zurich Global Service Design and Customer Journey Management WBS Group Leadership Coaching & Team Development Kultur Ruhr / Ruhrtriennale Team Development and Coaching in the context of Team Culture Diocese of Limburg Team Development Leadership Coaching Organizational Design Visual Facilitation Loyd Service Design Training Group 24 Coaching in the context of a Values Process Central Library Düsseldorf Idea Generation Team and Participation

Background & Methodology

I am a graduate Graphic Designer since 1994with a focus on Illustration and Visual Communication at Hochschule Niederrhein, University of Applied Science. 1999 I started my own design studio trafodesign. Since 2016 I’ve been working as a Coach & Designer – based in Düsseldorf, Germany.

My Background, Methodology and Approaches are Systemic Coaching by Campus Naturalis • • Service- & Business Design • • Design Thinking • • LEGO® Serious Play® certified Facilitator • • New Work Coaching • • Cocreation & Visual Facilitation • • Certified Change Leadership Coach by IDEO U • • IDEO U School AI x Design Thinking • • Certified MBAI+ Master of Business with AI • • 3x2 Leadership Framework • • Certified OKR-Coach by Workpath • • Fluid Facilitation & Dynamic Collaboration • • Visual Thinking Strategies VTS • • This is Service Design Doing Executive School at Design Thinkers Academy • • Instructor in Mindfulness & Meditation by Campus Naturalis

Onepage-CV (PDF)

  • „The playful approach noticeably lowered the barrier to just getting started – and the results were impressive.“

    Participant in the teaser workshop BRICKS & FRIENDS – Context: #Teambuilding #LEGO®Serious Play® #Storytelling

  • "Thank you for your inspiration!"

    Axel Helbig, Strategy / Organization / Technology – Context: #Teambuilding #LEGO®Serious Play® #Service Design #Coaching #Sparring

  • “The intuitive method of building first and then talking about it made things much easier for me and the others, and led to amazing results.”

    Participant in the teaser workshop BRICKS & FRIENDS – Context: #Teambuilding #LEGO®Serious Play® #Storytelling

  • “A journey. An adventure journey as a team.”

    Participant in the workshop BRICKS & FRIENDS – Context: #Teambuilding #LEGO®Serious Play® #Storytelling

  • „An idea powerhouse.“

    original quote and title chosen by workshop participants for their collaborative model. – context: #Teambuilding #LEGO®Serious Play® #Storytelling

  • “Amazing. Ten people come together, build metaphors and models out of nothing, and after just 60 minutes, they think and work like a team.”

    Participant at BRICKS & FRIENDS – Context: #Teambuilding #LEGO®Serious Play® #Storytelling

  • “In our case, the coaching especially sharpened our understanding that, as a tandem, we can complement each other with our different perspectives, experiences, and qualifications—regarding the perception of topics, processes, people, and how we handle them. Thomas’s creative approach to the subjects was a significant enrichment!”

    leadership duo in diocesan background – context: #leadership #systemic #organizational development

  • "What distinguishes Thomas is his ability to foster both structure and openness. He pays attention to energy, mood, and pace, and helps teams gain clarity. In the end, something starts to move: in the project, the team, and often within oneself."

    Tim Ulrich, Owner of Manxdesign – Context: #TeamDevelopment #Succession #Change

  • "Thomas brought movement to the team. We ‘stirred up the dust’ and, in the end, saw things more clearly together—much clearer than before."

    Nick Mäuser, Cooperative Advisor for Member Participation – Context: #InnovationCulture #LearningJourney #TeamDevelopment

  • "Thomas guided the process with trust. It’s a path I didn’t need to understand at first. In the end, I knew exactly what I wanted."

    participant in citizen participation on infrastructure topics – Context: #Participation #Mediation

  • “Thomas works calmly, clearly, and with structure—using an exceptional variety of methods. With attentiveness and reliability, he leads both large and small groups confidently. He handles critical situations respectfully and quickly restores focus. A facilitator in the best sense and a true service design professional. I recommend his teaser formats BRICKS & FRIENDS and SERVICE DESIGN NUDGE. I’ve worked with Thomas often and always look forward to the next opportunity.”

    Nico Henkels, Agency Owner, New Work Coach, Coworking Developer – Context: #Teambuilding #Ideation #BRICKS & FRIENDS #BusinessDevelopment

  • "What a workshop! Full of openness and warmth. Inspiring conversations, creative tasks, and a group that supported each other. Genuine connections and valuable experiences. From portraits to motivating discussions—creative, inspiring, and profound."

    workshop participant – Context: #Teambuilding #Participation #Democracy #Inclusion #WirsinddasD!

  • "Dear all, last week I attended a democracy workshop by Thomas Weltner. It made me realize how much democracy means to me: raising my voice, showing attitude, shaping things. The workshop was visionary, energetic, and politically relevant. Highly recommended. Best regards!"

    Helen Klemm, Coach & Trainer – Context: #Teambuilding #Participation #DialogueCommunication #WirsinddasD!

  • "It was unique. Spot on! We keep moving!"

    Annette Herveling, Logistics & Customer Service / Circular Economy – Context: #Workshop #Teambuilding #Participation #LEGO® Serious Play® #WirsinddasD!

  • "Aside from being a truly likeable person, Thomas opened doors to new ways of thinking and working for me/us. Since then, we’ve successfully applied his methods many times. Thank you, Thomas! Always happy to work with you again!"

    Christoph Hubertus, Founder & Strategy Lead at THIS – Context: #TeamDevelopment #ServiceDesignTraining #ProductDevelopment

  • Dear Thomas, you were a “worth-your-weight-in-gold” part of our team development. Many thanks for that 🙏

    Manuela Schwarz, SchindlerParent