Values are a vital guiding principle to navigate our lives, according to Wolff. He says: “When we are tested and times are difficult, we need to try to live by those standards. When it gets really tough, you need to remind yourself what you actually need to adhere to and how you want to live to these standards every day”. 

As the CEO of the Mercedes Formula One team, Wolff strives to live by the team’s values of integrity, loyalty and humility. Whenever the team faces challenges during races, he believes that determination and taking pride in one’s work keep them grounded and help them cope with the stress of the racing  season. 

“When life throws obstacles at us, it’s easy to lose track of our goals — be it personal or in the workplace. When your spirits get dampened, try taking a step back and take time to reflect on your core values,” he says.

“What keeps you waking up in the morning every day? If you are able to remind yourself about the things that motivate you in life, it will go a long way in maintaining a positive mindset despite the challenges.”

Introspection is part of the process of making improvements in one’s life. Wolff elaborates: “You need to be able to look yourself in the mirror when you brush your teeth in the evening and say, “Have I been a little bit of an idiot today?” and “How can I improve?”. 

He emphasises the importance of constantly pursuing self-improvement. When drivers do not perform well on track, they need to ask themselves how they went wrong and what can they do better next time. In Formula One racing, staying in one’s comfort zone is never encouraged — the team constantly strives to work harder to bring better results.

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Thirdly, constructive criticism might sting, but it’s needed for change. When one works on their areas for improvement, things will start getting better.

Wolff says: “If someone tells you that you haven’t done a good enough job, or that you haven’t behaved in the right way, that’s hard. I must admit that I’m in a thinking loop because my first reaction would be ‘That’s not true’ or ‘I wanna slap you’. But when you come back to it, it’s actually positive for the organisation and for all of us.”

As the CEO of the team, he is cultivating a culture of exchanging open feedback across the organisation. By setting an example as a top-level executive who encourages open feedback, he hopes that this will cause a ripple effect across the organisation from the top down. In turn, he believes that this will cause a positive environment for change and improvement within the Mercedes Formula One team.

Wolff also stresses on the importance of keeping disciplined during hectic schedules. He says: “If you don’t take care of yourself, eventually you’re going to burn out — mentally and physically. Many of us are going to travel (for the racing season), so we’re trying to be disciplined.” 

He also shares his personal rituals for coping with constant travel. For him, he prefers to constantly eat the exact same meals every single day, and maintaining a regular sleep pattern. These rituals allow him to maintain a sense of normalcy in his otherwise chaotic lifestyle.

Lastly, sometimes all you need is fun, laughter and love to keep you motivated. Keeping a positive work environment can alleviate stress at work. Wolff says: “Even when it’s difficult, we are still able to have a laugh. Having fun and enjoying the camaraderie, the team spirit is something that keeps us going.”

For the Mercedes Formula One team, staying motivated for every race regardless of the unfavourable outcomes is no easy feat. Wolff agrees that while it is tough for the team whenever they face such drawbacks, great teamwork has the power to maintain a positive spirit among team members and drivers.

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