Xenia Pattberg
Complexity is my territory
Where my work is rooted
Over the past eight years, I led communications and programme development for an international professional network focused on career development in the aerospace sector. I worked closely with individuals from across Europe and beyond – from ESA (European Space Agency), EUSPA (European Union Agency for the Space Programme), DLR (German Aerospace Center), and UKSA (UK Space Agency) to large aerospace companies, academic institutions, and early-stage startups; across cultures, career stages, and professional backgrounds.
The questions I encountered were remarkably consistent: How do I develop my career narrative? How do I communicate across cultures and hierarchies? How do I build a network, find a mentor, present myself, overcome the blocks that keep getting in the way? How do I avoid conflict and build trust?
I created spaces where those questions could be asked and answered. I moderated conversations, coached individuals, and built platforms for exchange. Then I went deeper, training in organisational psychology to deepen my understanding of the mechanisms behind what I was already seeing.
My academic background
Translation & Interpreting (BA)
My first degree and years of work in cross-cultural communication and negotiations gave me deep insight into the psychology of human communication - way beyond words and literal meanings. Listening and understanding rely only ever so little on words alone.
Literary & Cultural Analysis (MA)
A deep understanding of how narratives are shaped, both individual and collective. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it.
Organisational Psychology (MSc track, postgraduate diploma)
Building on years of experience working with individuals and teams, this gave me better tools to support collaboration, motivation, and leadership - particularly in complex and cross-cultural environments, and in organisations where trust and values are central.
How I work
Narrative work:
identifying the stories we tell about ourselves, our roles, and our organisations, and challenging the ones that no longer serve us.
Behavioural practice:
because understanding something doesn’t change it. Real change requires repetition, modelling, and time.
Insight:
not as the destination, but as the opening. Insight alone doesn’t create behavioural change, but knowledge creates possibility. Practice makes it real.
Client Testimonials
“Xenia accompanies and supervises groups in a professional and results-oriented manner, and gets rapid understanding of the various topics and areas of expertise relevant to her clients.”
