Maximizing the 24 hour day: An interview with NEC Lecturer Barbara Kearney

What do you do with so many ideas and interests
when there are only 24 hours in a day to play with?

–NEC Lecturer, Barbara Kearney

Barbara Kearney is no stranger to the challenges of the business world, from change management and strategic communications to effective corporate organization. A social media extraordinaire, avid sailor and cycler, and dynamic lecturer at New European College, the only real challenge she identifies with, however, are the limits of fitting her many ideas, interests and endeavors into a 24-hour day.

“When people ask me where do you come from, I usually ask: do you want the short or the long story.” The short story is that Barbara Kearney was born in Düsseldorf but left Germany when she was nine months old. Since that age, she has been living in and traveling to many different countries and would consider herself to be a citizen of the world. “My home is wherever I am,” she says. “I moved to Munich from Los Angeles, California 10 years ago. It’s actually the longest I have lived anywhere in my life so far.”

Barbara sums up her background by asking, “What do you do with so many ideas and interests when there are only 24 hours in a day to play with? She loves challenges, loves building up new organizations and teams and loves to constantly learn. After studying law and business in the UK, Barbara began working within the Finance industry, then moved into the Media and Entertainment industry, setting up various companies along the way. For the past 10 years, she has been running her own strategic consulting company. “I coach and advise companies across industries and regions on strategic communications, change management and corporate organization with a focus on the people factor,” she explains.

Barbara has been lecturing at New European College since its formation in 2015. In fact, she was present when the idea of the College first came about. “I was there when the idea was born…and I have been there ever since,” she remarks. Currently, she teaches Leadership, saying that, “Leadership is a personal journey, but a course on leadership can add value to those going on that journey to help examine what we need to lead mindfully, effectively and responsibly.”

10 Questions with Barbara (Click to enlarge)

Barbara enjoys teaching because she appreciates the opportunity to meet the students and to teach them things she’s learned throughout her own life, hear their viewpoints and have interesting discussions with them. “At New European College there are so many different cultures and viewpoints – so it makes it a great place to learn. Especially for me!” she comments. “Smaller institutions like New European College mean more intensity – all in a positive way. It enables you to learn hands-on and more effectively, and it allows you to build true connections with your fellow students, the lecturers and the general community.”

When Barbara isn’t busy lecturing at New European College or pursuing her many professional endeavours, she enjoys cycling throughout Munich, especially in the famous Englischer Garten. She also loves Munich’s close proximity to Italy where her sailboat and new adventures await her.