Success Architect Manfred Steinkellner

Porträt von Manfred Steinkellner: Gründer, Erfolgsarchitekt und Leiter des Büros in Innsbruck

Founder of Steinkellner China Search, trained technician, experienced project manager, and your personal contact for China.

Manfred Steinkellner embraces a people-first approach and believes that real problem-solving requires more than standard approaches. As a project manager in China, he learned through intensive “firefighting” the importance of active listening and intercultural sensitivity. These experiences and his 20+ years of China expertise now flow into his consulting and executive search processes, which offer tailored solutions and create measurable successe. He forges loyal, transparent success alliances to form leadership teams that truly make a difference with sovereignty and foresight.

THE PATH TO EXPERTISE: FROM PRACTICAL SHOCK TO BRIDGE BUILDER

This philosophy is no marketing promise, but the result of a career that significantly deviates from typical consultant careers.

Although young, happy, and quite successful as a programmer, Manfred Steinkellner felt early on that the world should consist of more than zeros and ones for him. During his European voluntary service in Glasgow, he not only expanded his international contacts and language skills but was able to directly understand the harshest sides of life.

Shaped by these experiences, he decided to complete his overseas civil service as an English teacher in an SOS Children’s Village in Qiqihar in northeastern China. At -35° Celsius in winter, he learned in a 1-million-inhabitant industrial city on the Russian border what it really means to be a stranger at the end of the world. He experienced both the typical Chinese drill and the repressive crisis and communication policy during the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Fascinated by this experience in the “land of contrasts”, he began studying Sinology in Vienna upon his return. His strong focus on applied experience led him back to China, where he deepened his Mandarin skills at the University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. After a total of two and a half years of intensive learning, Manfred spoke, read, and wrote fluently in the national language.

Back in Vienna, he completed his studies in Sinology and subsequently returned as a sought-after interpreter and project manager in technology and industry. At the time, nearly every company aimed to expand into China — few did so without significant challenges. Complex technical projects with large numbers and even greater pressure became Manfred’s daily business. His ability to navigate and de-escalate critical project situations became a defining strength in his later roles.

In this equally exciting and challenging field, he learned the importance of active listening as the base for any problem-solving. His ability to combine emotional intelligence with sharp analysis and exceptional linguistic fluency made him a valued expert for complex, high-stakes situations.

In 2015, Manfred consciously opted to exit this high-intensity sector, with a particular focus on reducing his continuous travel schedule Now a father of two children, his main place of residence should no longer be the long-haul aircraft between China and Europe. During his reorientation, he was coincidentally entrusted by an Austrian tire manufacturer with the search for a plant manager for the newly established production in China’s outback. Working with an experienced recruiter, he gradually established himself in the field of executive search.

With Steinkellner China Search, he has since then shaped personnel consulting as an exclusive, process-oriented service. While, in the past, he used to manage crises, today he helps companies like yours find carefully selected executives to prevent problems from arising in the first place.

The fascination with China’s complex economic environment and the will to enable sustainable developments drive Manfred Steinkellner and his team. They are convinced: Sustainable success and the right connections only arise through genuine intercultural connection-building – an attitude based on the principle of active listening and understanding both worlds.

Therefore, long-term thinking, trust, and uncompromising quality are at the center of their actions. Steinkellner China Search rejects deception and a short-term mercenary mentality, instead focusing on radical transparency, reliability, and a “tough but fair” approach. Their objective is to find the best possible, lasting solution for their clients as a trusted partner. This emerges in a success alliance – an authentic and respectful partnership, working together towards a common goal. We therefore consciously reject mandates that reflect a desire to offload responsibility instead of driving real change. Genuine commitment on both sides is the non-negotiable basis for mutual success.

This attitude of careful examination led to two central insights: First, that even the best executive is only successful if the organization has a solid cultural understanding. Second, that an apparent personnel problem often has deeper, structural causes. Consequently, the Steinkellner method goes far beyond the resume to the actual impact goals. Based on this practice, the Culture Compass China and the Performance Check China organically emerged – not standard products, but strategic tools that provide executives clarity and sovereignty to make the right decisions in the Chinese market

Although young, happy, and quite successful as a programmer, Manfred Steinkellner felt early on that the world should consist of more than zeros and ones for him. During his European voluntary service in Glasgow, he not only expanded his international contacts and language skills but was able to directly understand the harshest sides of life.

Shaped by these experiences, he decided to complete his overseas civil service as an English teacher in an SOS Children’s Village in Qiqihar in northeastern China. At -35° Celsius in winter, he learned in a 1-million-inhabitant industrial city on the Russian border what it really means to be a stranger at the end of the world. He experienced both the typical Chinese drill and the repressive crisis and communication policy during the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Fascinated by this experience in the “land of contrasts”, he began studying Sinology in Vienna upon his return. His strong focus on applied experience led him back to China, where he deepened his Mandarin skills at the University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. After a total of two and a half years of intensive learning, Manfred spoke, read, and wrote fluently in the national language.

Back in Vienna, he completed his studies in Sinology and subsequently returned as a sought-after interpreter and project manager in technology and industry. At the time, nearly every company aimed to expand into China — few did so without significant challenges. Complex technical projects with large numbers and even greater pressure became Manfred’s daily business. His ability to navigate and de-escalate critical project situations became a defining strength in his later roles.

In this equally exciting and challenging field, he learned the importance of active listening as the base for any problem-solving. His ability to combine emotional intelligence with sharp analysis and exceptional linguistic fluency made him a valued expert for complex, high-stakes situations.

In 2015, Manfred consciously opted to exit this high-intensity sector, with a particular focus on reducing his continuous travel schedule Now a father of two children, his main place of residence should no longer be the long-haul aircraft between China and Europe. During his reorientation, he was coincidentally entrusted by an Austrian tire manufacturer with the search for a plant manager for the newly established production in China’s outback. Working with an experienced recruiter, he gradually established himself in the field of executive search.

With Steinkellner China Search, he has since then shaped personnel consulting as an exclusive, process-oriented service. While, in the past, he used to manage crises, today he helps companies like yours find carefully selected executives to prevent problems from arising in the first place.

The fascination with China’s complex economic environment and the will to enable sustainable developments drive Manfred Steinkellner and his team. They are convinced: Sustainable success and the right connections only arise through genuine intercultural connection-building – an attitude based on the principle of active listening and understanding both worlds.

Therefore, long-term thinking, trust, and uncompromising quality are at the center of their actions. Steinkellner China Search rejects deception and a short-term mercenary mentality, instead focusing on radical transparency, reliability, and a “tough but fair” approach. Their objective is to find the best possible, lasting solution for their clients as a trusted partner. This emerges in a success alliance – an authentic and respectful partnership, working together towards a common goal. We therefore consciously reject mandates that reflect a desire to offload responsibility instead of driving real change. Genuine commitment on both sides is the non-negotiable basis for mutual success.

This attitude of careful examination led to two central insights: First, that even the best executive is only successful if the organization has a solid cultural understanding. Second, that an apparent personnel problem often has deeper, structural causes. Consequently, the Steinkellner method goes far beyond the resume to the actual impact goals. Based on this practice, the Culture Compass China and the Performance Check China organically emerged – not standard products, but strategic tools that provide executives clarity and sovereignty to make the right decisions in the Chinese market

LISTEN TO MANFRED STEINKELLNER IN CONVERSATION

Real dialogue instead of a sales pitch – even the first contact with Manfred Steinkellner is a confidential strategic sparring at eye level. A clear goal: Optimize your time for immediate, tangible added value. The conversation is non-binding, offers honest gain of insight, and lays the foundation for a successful partnership.

No obligations, only opportunities.