Meet our newest WOL Coach: Niko Votsos

Apr 13

I first worked with Niko on the WOL for Leaders project. His company had implemented a successful leadership development program and wanted to “keep the momentum going,” strengthening connections and trust between 500 leaders.

So, together with Michael Trautmann, we developed a new method for leaders to craft their personal leadership vision and bring it to life. Together.

It was here that I got to experience Niko’s calm demeanor, deep insights, and passion about learning and development. He has a wealth of experience designing and delivering training, and cares more about making a difference than about a method.

“In my experience, many learning formats stay too abstract. They create awareness, but rarely lead to lasting behavior change. WOL takes a different approach. It is simple, structured, and close to everyday work.
For me, WOL is not an add-on to learning. It is a way to make learning actually happen.”

For each new WOL Coach, I ask three questions so you can get to know them and what drives them. You can also visit Niko’s WOL Coach profile on workingoutloud.com. Or connect with him on LinkedIn or at nikolaos.votsos@riverty.com.

Every time I speak with Niko, I am struck by his passion and dedication. He is a great addition to our WOL Coach community, and I can’t wait to see what he does with WOL.

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1. Please share 5 facts about you so people get to know you.

After completing my Master’s degree, I spent six months at the University of Kentucky teaching German as a foreign language.
I started my professional career as a software trainer and worked in international projects before moving into corporate Learning & Development.
I am surrounded by educators. My wife is a school teacher, my sister works in a kindergarten, and I focus on adult learning. This often leads to interesting perspectives on learning across generations.
Outside of work, I love to train with a focus on bodyweight strength and also practice playing the drums. Both constantly remind me that real progress comes from consistency, feedback, and repetition.
I value calmness, structure, and a grounded perspective, shaped in part by my family background.

2. What positive difference do you aspire to make?

I aspire to help people move from thinking about development to actually doing it.

Too often, good intentions, ideas, and learning stay theoretical. My goal is to create environments where people take ownership, try things out, and make progress visible in their everyday work.

The positive difference I want to make is simple. More clarity, more action, and more connection between people who support each other in moving forward.

If people leave a circle not only with new insights, but with concrete steps taken and relationships built, then something has changed. And that is what matters.

3. Why WOL?

Working Out Loud resonates with me because it focuses on what actually creates change. Not more content, but consistent action, visibility, and real exchange between people.

In my experience, many learning formats stay too abstract. They create awareness, but rarely lead to lasting behavior change. WOL takes a different approach. It is simple, structured, and close to everyday work.

What convinced me is the impact. When people start sharing their work, building relationships, and taking small steps consistently, development becomes visible. Not someday, but constantly.

For me, WOL is not an add-on to learning. It is a way to make learning actually happen.