15 years at Bösehof: Thank you for letting me be part of it
About people, trust, and the journey from massage therapist to managing director.
On August 1st, I celebrated my 15th work anniversary. Honestly, back in the summer of 2011, I could never have imagined that I'd one day be writing this blog as managing director.
Back then, I started as a massage therapist in the spa. I still remember my first day clearly, and that feeling of having arrived somewhere that felt like home from the very first moment.
The massage therapist eventually became the spa manager. And then came something nobody probably expected: I became assistant to the management. If I'm honest, that also had a bit to do with the fact that I never held back my opinion with my boss at the time. I had an opinion about everything and was never particularly good at keeping it to myself. Today you might call that difficult. Back then, it was apparently exactly what was needed.
In 2017 I became assistant to the management, in 2018 authorized signatory, and since January 2024 I've had the privilege of leading Bösehof as managing director.
When I look back on these 15 years today, I don't think of positions or titles first. I think of people.
Of a team that has been through an incredible amount in recent years. Economically difficult times, Covid, staff shortages, rising costs, changes. And through it all, one thing was always there: our sense of togetherness.
A job became a home.
I firmly believe that work can only really function well when people trust each other. That's why my leadership style was never shaped by rigid hierarchies. I want to be a manager people feel comfortable approaching, not one they're afraid of.
If someone is sick, they don't have to prove to us that they're truly unwell. If life outside work gets overwhelming, we look for solutions together. Sometimes that means someone can spend a few nights at the hotel because there's no peace to be found at home right now.
On the other hand, our employees are always ready to take on responsibility. People step in when help is needed. Overtime gets worked when it's necessary, because we know we're there for each other.
That's exactly how I picture teamwork: a give and take, friendly, respectful, and at eye level.
I firmly believe that responsibility doesn't shrink when you share it. It grows. That's why our people are trusted to make decisions, bring in ideas, and shape their own area. Flat hierarchies aren't a modern buzzword to me, they're everyday practice.
And because a team doesn't just grow together during working hours, we've brought back things that had gotten lost along the way. Company celebrations, for example.
Our celebrations have become something of a legend by now, not because they're especially elaborate, but because they show who we are. We laugh together, we celebrate together, and sometimes the best memories are made in exactly those moments.
For my anniversary, my colleagues left me speechless with a speech and a bouquet of flowers. I was absolutely delighted and, honestly, deeply moved. That moment showed me once again that appreciation isn't a one-way street. To me, it was one of the best gifts I could have received after 15 years.
Of colleagues who stand by one another. Of conversations, shared laughter, stressful days, challenges we've overcome together, and countless small moments you can't plan for but that stay with you anyway.
I'm convinced that this is what makes Bösehof what it is: the people who put their hearts into making our guests feel welcome every day, and who are there for each other in the same way.
If I've been able to contribute anything to this team over the years, I hope it was above all this: a culture of trust, one where people speak openly with each other, are trusted with responsibility, and know they can rely on one another.
For all of this, I simply want to say thank you today. Thank you for your appreciation, your dedication, your loyalty, and for so many shared memories. You're the reason Bösehof has been more than just a workplace to me for 15 years.
With warm regards,
Natascha Grotjohann
