Felix Bertram

Who is right doesn’t matter.

What is right does.

As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of unconscious bias:
↳ Backing the team member who always goes above and beyond
↳ Siding with the one you personally get along with

But when you lean towards favourites, intentionally or not, you risk losing the trust of your entire team.

Favouritism divides teams, damages morale, and erodes accountability.

Here’s what great leaders do to stay fair:

Let everyone speak
↳ Create space for quieter voices and actively invite their input.

Stay focused on the mission
↳ Tie every decision back to the team’s shared goals.

Acknowledge all contributions
↳ Show appreciation for hard work and results, not personal preferences.

Stay neutral in conflicts
↳ Focus on solving problems, not taking sides.

Keep things fair
↳ Apply rules and expectations consistently across the board.

When you lead with fairness, you inspire loyalty and trust, not just compliance.

What strategies do you use to ensure fairness as a leader? Share your thoughts below!
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Some relationships make you feel invisible.

But many of us choose that over being alone.

Image credit to Monica Federico

It feels much easier to say or do "the right thing" to fit in with the crowd.

Whether it's agreeing with someone you admire just to be liked,
or holding back an opinion because it goes against what everyone else thinks.

Chasing popularity feels good for a moment.

But in the long-term, you risk losing sight of who you are.

Over the years, I've learned this:

When you're honest with yourself, the right people come to you.

They're the people who'll:

✅ Motivate you to learn and grow.
✅ Encourage you to take care of your health.
✅ Support you when chasing your dreams gets hard.

They'll be honest with you as well.

And together, you'll achieve your goals and happiness.

It's better to be respected by a few people who know the real you,
than applauded by a crowd who only likes a version of you.

Whenever you have the chance to be authentic, take it.

That's how you build relationships that matter. 
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If the culture is off, the job isn't perfect.

Too many people still ignore that fact.

Your environment shapes how you feel.

And unfortunately, there are still places that:

→ Reward long hours instead of real results.
→ Overlook voices that deserve to be heard.
→ Treat rest like laziness instead of recovery.

If you find yourself in those spaces, no amount of money will make up for it.

They'll drain your energy and confidence.

Whenever you look for a new role, focus on these key areas:

Respect
↳ Make sure your time and boundaries are taken seriously.

Growth
↳ The role should challenge you and encourage learning.

Peace of Mind
↳ Find a role that values your rest, not just your output.

A job could be technically perfect,
but without these three things, it won't stay fulfilling.

Look beyond what the job description says.

Find out what the culture is like.

Don't be afraid to walk away if it's not right for you.

What's one green flag you look for in a company?
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Resignations start with broken culture.

Fix it, or lose your best people.

You can offer great perks.
You can have the best product.
You can say you care about your team.

But if what you say doesn't match what your team experiences,
the whole place will crumble.

Great employees don't leave for no reason.
They leave when they feel stuck, unseen, or unvalued.

Here's what they won't tolerate:

🚩 Weak leadership drains motivation and trust.
🚩 Unfair treatment destroys morale and loyalty.
🚩 Limited support leaves employees feeling isolated.
🚩 No growth opportunities leads to career stagnation.
🚩 Feeling unappreciated makes great employees walk away.
🚩 Micromanagement suffocates creativity and independence.
🚩 Underpaying top performers sends them looking elsewhere.
🚩 Bad managers hold talent back instead of helping it thrive.
🚩 A toxic workplace drives even your most dedicated employees to quit.

It's simple.

Give your people respect, fair pay and a chance to grow.

What's one thing you're doing today to keep your best people?
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Your thoughts matter more than your skills.

They could sabotage your growth.

Credit to Chris Donnelly with this one!

When you're chasing your purpose, there will be times when you hit a wall.

I've certainly been in that position more times than I can count.

I've built businesses, opened restaurants and written a book on becoming healthier.

Each one of those brought challenges I didn't expect.
I'll be honest, there were moments when it would have been easy to quit.

But deep down I knew that those challenges were worth the dream I was pursuing.

You might be building something of your own right now,
and facing a few of these negative thoughts:

❌ "I hate my alarm."
❌ "Do I really have to work?"
❌ "This is exhausting."
❌ "I have to do this again tomorrow."

Everyone has these thoughts.

But you get to choose how to reframe them:

✅ "I'm blessed to wake up."
✅ "I'm glad I get the chance to work."
✅ "I'm getting stronger."
✅ "I get another chance."

You're still going to face challenges.

But the journey will be much easier after you change your perspective.

Pick one negative thought you've had recently and reframe it.
You'll see how much better you feel.

What's one thought that you can reframe this week?
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You can’t win if you can’t wait.

In our fast paced world, patience often feels like a luxury we can’t afford.

But here’s a truth many overlook: mastering patience can unlock doors to everything you want in life.

Patience isn’t just about waiting; it’s about how you handle the wait.

When you’re patient, you gain control over yourself and ultimately, over your outcomes.

Here’s why patience is so powerful;

→ It builds resilience:
↳ Helps you stay strong and keep moving forward, even when things get tough.

→ Helps you to make better decisions:
↳ Gives you the clarity to make better choices, avoiding hasty mistakes.

→ Helps in achieving long term success:
↳ Consistency, driven by patience, is key to long term achievements.

Developing patience takes time and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable.

Start cultivating patience today and watch as it transforms your life, career, and personal growth.

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You don't need to impress the whole crowd.

You need to connect with the right people.

There are still many misconceptions about success.

Some people still believe it can only be achieved alone.
Others believe it comes by trying to know as many people as possible.

Neither of those extremes are true.

Success, and happiness, comes from being surrounded by people who want you to win.

They're the ones who'll support you when things get hard,
challenge you when you want to give up,
and cheer when you achieve your dreams.

You don't need a huge circle of people around you.

In my circle there are very few people, but I cherish them greatly.

Some friends have been with me since my days at medical school.

Some are entrepreneurs on a similar path to me.

Some friends don't care about business at all,
and we'll still have a great time cycling together.

(And of course, my dogs definitely want to see me win!)

On the other hand, success isn't just about having those people around you.

You have to be the kind of person who'll offer that support as well.

Show up for people when they're struggling.
Cheer for them when they achieve their dreams.
Make memories throughout the whole journey.

That's what real support looks like.

Be the kind of person who helps others win,
and you'll be surrounded by people who want the same for you.

Who is someone you're happy to have in your corner?
Tag them in the comments!
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Entrepreneurship isn't the only way to find purpose.

But it still feels that way for many people.

People want flexibility, opportunity and purpose.

And if they're dreaming about running a business, 
it's because at least one of those needs isn't being fulfilled.

People want to feel like their work means something beyond meetings and time sheets.

As a leader, it's your job to help people find that purpose.

You should create the environment where your team are fulfilled and motivated to do their best work.

I'm proud that at Skinmed, we do our best to take care of our team.

Here's how we practice that:

Tell them their value
↳ No matter what level of seniority they're at, let them know that their work means something.

Invest in their growth
↳ Ask people where they'd like to improve and give them the resources.

Take care of their wellbeing
↳ Make a habit out of asking how people are doing outside of work to show you care.

Lend them support
↳ If someone is struggling, don't isolate them. Help them navigate the challenge.

Give them purpose
↳ Let people take ownership of challenging tasks and see what they're capable of.

These practices are simple and effective in boosting people's moods.

When they see that you truly care about their time, growth and dreams,
they'll do their best work and exceed every expectation.

What's one way you show your team you care?
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Feeling stuck happens to everyone.

Staying stuck is a choice.

Thank you Alvin Huang for this reminder.

Motivation is unreliable.

It feels great when you have it,
but it disappears the moment things get uncomfortable.

That feeling stops many people from achieving their dreams.

You want to write a book
↳ But give up at the first sign of writer's block.

You want to get in shape
↳ But skip workouts when progress feels slow.

You want to have stronger relationships
↳ But cancel plans because you don't feel like going.

You tell yourself, "I'll start again when it feels right."

And before you know it, months or even years have passed,
and you're still thinking about the same dream.

You can't build a future on motivation.

You build it with discipline.

That's what keeps you going when excitement fades.

→ You move past the writer's block.
→ You keep up with your workout schedule.
→ You set aside time to spend with others.

You make true progress when you stick to your habits.

Even when you don't feel like it.

You'll still feel tired some days.
You'll still want to skip the work.

But if you keep showing up anyway, you'll be surprised by how much changes.

What's one thing you'll stay consistent with this week?
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You don't grow by getting things right.

You grow by not giving up.

When you're growing,
whether in business or in life,
the hard parts aren't optional.

They're part of the process.

Still, people shrink away from the discomfort.

Many who are scared to make mistakes,
even though mistakes allow us to grow.

When I first started Skinmed, I didn't have everything figured out.
I just knew I wanted to make people happy.

Some ideas we tried worked.
Others didn't.

But I learned more from my mistakes than my wins.

They've helped me become the person I am now.
And I'm still learning more every day.

Growth doesn't come from being perfect.

You grow when you show up, try something new, fail, and try again.

Each time you get back up, you become more resilient.

In the end, you'll look back on your achievements with pride.

What's one challenge you faced that made you stronger?

________________

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Your brain is rewiring itself every moment.

Strengthen it like you do your body.

The brain is the foundation of our lives.

It impacts our focus, our energy and our habits.

It deserves as much care as our physical health.

At every stage of our lives, our brains go through huge changes.

Here's what happens:
(And how you can take care of yourself along the way)

Childhood to Adolescence
↳ You form new neural connections every second.
↳ Building strong habits at this age sets you up for life.

20s and 30s
↳ Memory, problem-solving, and learning are at their best.
↳ Spend time learning, manage stress and keep building a healthy lifestyle.

40s and 50s
↳ Small cognitive changes start to show. Some people notice they're more forgetful.
↳ Keep exploring new skills and challenges. Exercise in ways that make you happy.

60s and 70s
↳ There are more obvious changes in memory and decision-making.
↳ Keep up healthy habits: good sleep, connecting with friends and learning.

80s and Beyond
↳ Risk of dementia rises significantly. Daily challenges can be harder.
↳ Stay mentally and socially active. Have a routine and a support system.

You only have one brain.

Take care of it as well as your body.

Looking after it throughout your life gives you the chance to stay mentally active for longer.
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Lessons from 2,000 years ago still matter today.

If you want a happier life, start here:

A lot of modern advice about how to improve yourself actually stems from the past.

The Stoics thought deeply about what it means to live a good life.

Their ideas still trickle down to today.
We've just repackaged and added our own perspectives.

When the world gets loud with different opinions, sometimes the best thing to do is go back to basics.

Here are 7 key ideas that have stood up to the test of time.

1. Zeno of Citium
↳ Focus on what is within your control
↳ Your thoughts, decisions, and actions.

2. Epictetus
↳ Pause before reacting.
↳ Don't be afraid to say, "I'll have an answer for you later." 

3. Seneca
↳ Practice daily reflection.
↳ I ask myself what went well, what could improve, and what I can do tomorrow.

4. Marcus Aurelius
↳ See obstacles as opportunities.
↳ Every challenge is a chance to improve yourself.

5. Musonius Rufus
↳ Live by virtue.
↳ Stay grounded by your core beliefs at pivotal moments.

6. Chrysippus
↳ Detach from outcomes.
↳ Tie your worth to your effort. You can't control how things turn out.

7. Cleanthes
↳ Practice negative visualisation.
↳ Occasionally imagine losing what's important so you appreciate what you have.

These principles might be ancient, but they are still important for our modern world.

Pick one that resonated most with you and try to practice it for one week.

You'll see how much clearer and more focused you feel.

Which one of these will you try?
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Your habits affect every part of your life.

Stop normalising the ones that drain you.

Even though we say we care about our health, we all have habits that can drain our energy.

They feel small at first, but the more we repeat them, the worse we feel.

These are the 7 habits that take away your energy:
(And what you can do to improve)

Not getting enough quality sleep
→ Repeated late nights will have a negative effect on your body.
→ Set a consistent bedtime to improve rest, even during weekends.

Rushed or chaotic mornings
→ Starting off with chaos sets the tone for the rest of the day.
→ Stick to a simple routine so you can leave the house refreshed.

Skipping breakfast
→ You need fuel if you want to do great work.
→ Prep something quick so you don't leave the house on an empty stomach.

Lack of night-before prep
→ This helps your mornings become less stressful.
→ Prep everything before bed to avoid rushing.

No regular exercise outside work
→ You feel more tired when your body doesn't move.
→ Add a short walk or stretch during your day.

Personal stress or tension at home
→ Stress affects your mind and body more than you think.
→ Journal or speak to someone you trust to clear your mind.

Late-night screen time
→ Late-night doom scrolling ties back in to the first point.
→ Set a "tech cut-off" time and do a relaxing activity before bed.

You don't need to do all of these at once.

Pick one habit, stick to it for a week and see how much of a difference it makes.

Which of these habits do you think is most important?
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You think you're relaxing.

You're actually escaping.

When you think about a happy life, what comes to mind?

I've asked this to many people and their answers are the same.

Spend time with those we love, be as healthy as possible,
and find success in our own way.

I believe those answers apply to all of us, but in the day-to-day,
we get tired, overwhelmed and turn to habits that numb us to life.

It's much easier to cancel plans and scroll in bed,
or catch up on the latest gossip instead of thinking about your own goals.

But what's easy isn't what's right for us.

A happier life starts when you build habits that improve your reality.

Yes, it feels tough at first, but slowly you feel like yourself again.

Some of my favourite moments over this year have been:

Feeling the breeze as I cycled down the roads.
Spending time lying outside with my dogs.
Having adventures with close friends.

For you, it could be different.

Some people find joy in volunteering, others in creating a work of art.

What matters most is that you do something that improves your reality every day.

That's how you create a life you truly enjoy.

What habit do you think is most important for a healthy life?
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Your dream life is 7 steps away.

Most people fall at the first hurdle.

People's dream lives come down to three main things:

Spending time with the people we love.
Living a long and healthy life.
Improving ourselves every day.

Everything else, like starting a business or traveling the world, is connected to those core goals.

It doesn't take much to start making changes and seeing results.

Here's how to actually build your dream life, step by step:

1. Start before you're ready
↳ Draft up a plan. Start quickly. Adjust as you go.
↳ I didn't have a business degree, but I opened my first clinic and figured things out along the way.

2. Make habits so easy you can't fail
↳ Set the bar so low, you can't say no to it.
↳ I don't like the gym so I paired that habit with listening to podcasts.

3. Be honest about what matters
↳ Doing everything leads to burnout. Choose your focus.
↳ Each week I make one priority my focus. Everything fits around it.

4. Protect your health no matter what
↳ Swap out an unhealthy snack. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier. Make small changes.
↳ Even when things are chaotic, I try to exercise for at least 5 minutes.

5. Stay close to the right people
↳ Schedule in time to spend with loved ones and protect it.
↳ I enjoy cycling with friends and spending time with my dogs.

6. Say no more often
↳ If it's not an instant yes, it's a no.
↳ I've made the mistake before of taking on too much. I say no more often now.

7. Don't wait for motivation
↳ Take one small step to get momentum going.
↳ Even on days when it's tough, I make sure to take one step toward my dream.

None of these will feel easy at first.

But each step brings you closer to your dream life and your purpose.

Even taking the first step gets you further ahead than most.

So no matter what, keep going.
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What if life was shorter than you thought?

This is my answer.

And I finally get to share it with all of you.

Last year, I decided to test my biological age.

I sent off the samples they requested,
and a few weeks later, received a phone call.

When I went to my appointment,
the doctor made it very clear.

"You're 49, but your biological age is 74."

I lost 25 years in that moment.

I spent the rest of the day recovering from the shock.

Afterwards, I decided to do what I could to reverse my age.

Along the way, I wrote everything down.

All of my thoughts.
The lessons I learned.
The moments that shaped my thinking.

And I realised there are three things that build a happier and healthier life:

Health
↳ Looking after your body and mind.

Relationships
↳ Staying close to the people who matter most to you.

Personal Development
↳ Trying to improve yourself each and every day.

Everything I've learned on this journey is in this book.

And it's available for you to read right now! amzn.to/45EMitn

I truly believe that everyone wants a long, happy life.
Hopefully, this books helps make that a reality for many more people.

You can order the book from Amazon: amzn.to/45EMitn

If you've already ordered, thank you!

If you haven't, and you've been enjoying my posts so far, I'd truly appreciate it if you gave this book a read.

For now, it's available only in German.
But if enough people are interested, there's a good chance it can become available in English too.

Thank you again for joining me on this journey.

And a special thanks to my speakers agency Andrea Kummer for all your support!
________________
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Your food choices are performance choices.

Meals matter as much as meetings.

What you eat plays a bigger role than most people realise.

Food drives your energy, your focus and your mood.

But many leaders don't treat it that way.
They skip meals, live on caffeine,
or grab whatever's convenient between meetings.

Those habits catch up with you.

Soon you're left wondering why you're not performing at your best.

Your diet doesn't need to be perfect,
it needs to be intentional.

Here are small changes you can make every day:

1. Prioritise energy over numbers
↳ Choose foods that release energy over time.

2. Favour whole, unprocessed options
↳ Your body is best with foods it can use efficiently.

3. Aim for balance, not restriction
↳ Extreme diets don't last long.

4. Include protein and fibre in every meal
↳ They keep you full and support long-term health.

5. Hydrate consistently
↳ If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

6. Eat mindfully and without distraction
↳ Being aware of what and how you eat improves digestion.

7. Allow flexibility and enjoyment
↳ A treat now and then won't ruin your progress.

8. Think long-term
↳ Every choice matters. Health is for life, not just for summer.

How you eat supports your mind and body.

The more you make better decisions,
the greater your leadership will be.

Which one of these habits will you try first?
________________

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You'll wish you had more time one day.

Start living like it matters now.

It's been years since I got lost in a good book,
but reading Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman completely drew me in.

It made me think deeply about how we use our time,
and how strange our relationship with it has become.

An average life lasts around 4,000 weeks.

But we live like we have an endless supply.

We slice it into 24 hours, fill it with tasks,
and create tools to do things even faster.

We're more efficient than ever.

But near the end of life, everyone wishes for the same thing:
More time for what actually mattered.

For most of us, the numbers tell this story:

→ Around 200 weeks focused on your health.
→ Roughly 300 weeks with family and friends.
→ About 150 weeks spent learning.

That's just over 15% of your life.

You can increase that now, if you protect your time.

Make health a part of your everyday life.
Spend an extra evening with your loved ones.
Keep learning, just for yourself.

The more you choose what matters,
the better your life becomes.

How are you choosing to spend your weeks?
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This is a moment each author dreams of...

My book Hacking Age is a Bestseller!

Last year, I found out that my biological age was 74.

But my chronological age was 49.

I thought to myself, "What if I only have 10 summers left to live?"

I'd spent years building businesses, helping patients and pushing for success
and along the way, I forgot to think about my health.

So I decided to change things.

I started exploring what makes a healthier life,
and made notes about the three biggest factors:

Health
↳ Taking care of your body and mind.

Relationships
↳ Keeping close bonds with people who matter.

Personal Development
↳ Improving yourself a little bit every day.

Those notes became chapters.
Those chapters became a book.

And now, Hacking Age is the bestselling book on Amazon about health!

I'm truly honoured that so many people want to read about this journey.

To everyone who has already ordered the book, thank you.
I hope that it helps you live a longer, healthier life.

And if you'd like your own copy, it's available here: amzn.to/45EMitn

Currently, it;s only available in German, but I'll be sharing lessons I've learned right here on LinkedIn.
(And if we have enough interest, an English version could be published too!)

Special thanks to my speakers agency Andrea Kummer for supporting me throughout this book journey!
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It’s such a great feeling to see Hacking Age out on the shelves.

After months of writing, editing, and reflecting, actually spotting it in bookstores makes the whole journey feel real.

This book started with a shock: at 49, a test revealed my biological age was 74.

That moment kicked off a full rethink of how I live, work, and look after myself. It’s what pushed me to write this in the first place.

Thanks to everyone who’s supported it already. It means a lot.

📚 If you spot it in the wild, tag me, I’d love to see where it’s landed.

And if you’ve started reading: what’s one thing that’s stuck with you so far?

________________

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