About me
For over 20 years, I have been supporting people as they learn, grow and gain insight – in the classroom, within teams, in leadership roles and through personal development processes.
In all these roles, I have seen just how much our inner attitude influences the way we work, communicate and lead.
It is precisely these experiences that have shaped me and ultimately led me to write My Ego is on Holiday.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Recommended by teachers and school heads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Worth reading
L. F. – 28th September 2025
“It may read like light reading, but it isn’t. Someone – or rather, the lady behind it – has put a great deal of thought into this, and it’s all very meaningful.”
My journey – from teaching to personal development and leadership
I started out as an English teacher, later founded kommunikeet. DAS SPRACHENINSTITUT and eventually went on to head up a university’s language centre.
In all these contexts, I have supported people: teachers, managers, teams, students and individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Over the years, it has become increasingly clear to me that it is rarely specialist knowledge that presents us with challenges. Rather, it is communication, emotions, personality patterns and internal dynamics that determine whether collaboration succeeds or fails.
This realisation motivated me to undertake numerous further training courses in psychological and systemic counselling – and to focus my work increasingly on self-reflection and personal development.
Feel free to find out more about me on my LinkedIn profile.
“Professional expertise is almost always sufficiently available.
Michaela Heidig
It is only personal skills that often lag behind, thereby affecting the quality of teaching, collaboration and leadership.”
Why I wrote My Ego Is on Holiday
This book wasn’t written at a desk, but in the midst of real life: in lessons that were challenging, in teams that needed guidance, and in leadership situations that called for courage.
I wanted to write a book that empowers people rather than lecturing them – a book that is humorous without being superficial, and that combines psychological insights with real-world practice.
My Ego Is on Holiday aims to lower the barrier to self-reflection.
It’s designed to encourage people to recognise their own patterns, whilst showing how much easier teaching, teamwork and leadership become when we understand ourselves better.
→ Find out more about the book
Self-reflection is at the heart of my work – and the reason why I wrote this book. If you’d like to see how it supports teachers in their day-to-day lives, you’ll find a gift idea here that promotes self-reflection and inner peace.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I was particularly impressed by how quickly you can recognise your own triggers, as well as those of others, and thereby respond in a calmer and more professional manner. Whilst reading, I felt valued and was able to put a lot of it into practice straight away.
Katja K. – 16th December 2025
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to mindfully unmask their own ego and that of others.”
My approach – scientifically sound, people-centred and practical for everyday life
In my work, I combine psychological models, personality research and communication studies with decades of practical experience.
It is important to me that methods not only work in theory, but are genuinely applicable in everyday life – in the classroom, within a team, in conversation, during conflicts and in moments when we question ourselves.
I don’t work on the basis of ‘higher, faster, better’, but rather with clarity, empathy and an honest look at what drives people.
You’ll also find many of these insights in my book for leaders, My Ego Is on Holiday, which is based on real-life situations from everyday school and leadership practice.
If you’d like to explore this topic in more depth, you’ll find relevant articles such as
Leadership in schools: roles, attitudes and skills →
Stress management for teachers →
Your personality as a teacher→
What I’m doing today
I work at the intersection of self-reflection, personal development, teaching, leadership and mental health. This includes:
Workshops for teachers
I support schools and teams in improving communication, resolving conflicts, recognising internal patterns and developing a confident teaching style.
Workshops for managers and school leaders
I work with senior managers to help them understand personality types, lead teams in a clear and empathetic manner, and build inner stability.
Insights & Articles
On my website, I regularly publish posts on teachers’ personal development, soft skills, mental health, stress management and leadership.
The practical self-reflection exercises for teachers are particularly popular.
What matters to me
I believe that change begins within. That we lead more effectively when we understand ourselves. That teaching becomes easier when we recognise our own patterns. And that teams become stronger when people feel seen.
My work is based on five core values:
Clarity
Empathy
Humour
Reflection
Courage
These values guide me in every workshop, every piece of writing and every conversation.
Feedback from readers
On Instagram, I share insights from my everyday life
Here you’ll find questions for reflection, thoughts on teaching and leadership, insights into my work, and little ideas to help bring more clarity to your day-to-day life.
Would you like to work with me or find out more?
I’d be delighted to hear from you regarding discussions, collaborations, workshops or any questions about the book.
You want to read My Ego is on Holiday for yourself?
eBook (epub)
EUR 9.99
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Recommended by teachers and headteachers
Practical and ready to implement
Stories from everyday school life
For teachers, headteachers and school leaders
Get a free extract and self-assessment test
If you’d like to find out which personality patterns characterise your approach to teaching or leadership, get the free sample with the self-assessment test.
Get a free extract from ‘My Ego is on Holiday’ by Michaela Heidig
Who is Michaela Heidig?
Michaela Heidig is the author of My Ego is on Holiday and has been working at the intersection of teaching, team leadership, communication and personal development for over 20 years. She combines psychological principles with real-world educational practice and supports teachers, managers and teams through workshops and development programmes.
What does Michaela Heidig’s work stand for?
Her work is based on self-reflection, clear communication and a human, humorous perspective on professional challenges. She shows how inner patterns shape our everyday lives – and how we can act with greater confidence through understanding and clarity – with the help of a practical guide to strengthening soft skills.
Where can I buy Michaela Heidig’s book?
You can order the guidebook ‘My Ego is on Holiday: How to Turn Supposed Weaknesses into Strengths’, written specifically for teachers, headteachers and school leaders, directly here in the online shop as a paperback (only German) or e-book.