Hi. I'm Manuel. I help companies become fulfilling workplaces.
What I do
I specialize in organizational design that fosters intrinsic motivation, helping companies implement just enough structure and process to ensure smooth operations and scalable growth without becoming bureaucratic.
For whom
I work with companies during critical growth stages. In these phases founders often struggle with maintaining influence as direct oversight becomes impractical.
They seek to implement structure and processes but want to avoid bureaucratic stagnation. I guide them in establishing an organizational operating system that not only supports growth but also enhances their appeal as an employer - making the way they work the decisive reason why people join their company.
How I do it
Over the past decade, I've worked with three companies full-time, transforming one of them into a New Work role model and learning from the other two why they got close but not there. Through these experiences, I've distilled the nine necessary key practices for a sustainable New Work implementation.
I support companies in prioritizing, designing, implementing, and iterating the nine key practices in a way that serves their specific context while staying true to underlying principles that nourish self-organization and intrinsic motivation.
My role is to guide, facilitate, and advise, providing the tools and frameworks necessary for the organization to continue evolving independently. Going through this transformation will take 1-2 years, depending on the specific context.
Why I do it
My bigger goal is to create more fulfilling workplaces. I want us, as a society, to see and experience work differently. Not just as a job that pays the bills, but as a calling that energizes us and gives us meaning.
When I first experienced a New Work environment in 2011, it turned me, an introvert, into someone who passionately shares the potential of fulfilling work environments. I know these workplaces are possible because I've lived it and helped recreate it in other companies.
I now support founders and organizational designers in making New Work a reality, making the way you work the decisive factor why people join and rave about your company.
How I got here
I started my career as a software engineer, which played to my strengths of being methodical and well-structured. However, I quickly became disillusioned by project management and client interactions that didn't feel "right".
This led me to absorb everything I could about Agile, Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and Lean Startup, gradually moving into the role as Agile Coach. I became proficient in supporting teams to collaborate well but noticed that systemic company issues stunted these improvements. This realization spurred my transition into organizational design, with a focus on intrinsic motivation, relationships, and emotional intelligence.
I love the process of understanding a system’s complexity and creating simple solutions, whether in software or now in organizational structures. My pragmatic idealism balances practical tools and techniques with a deep commitment to underlying values and principles.