Knowing no bounds - MONOCLE MAGAZINE

The journalists from MONOCLE asked me 10 questions about my habits and my managerial approach. It is a very singular exercise; I wanted to share with you the outcome of this interview.

1. At what time do you like to be at your desk?

By 8am at the latest.

2. Are tough decisions best taken by one person or by a group?

I think a decision has to be made by one woman or one man but, nevertheless, she or he has to listen and take different perspectives into account.

3. Do you want to be liked or respected?

Hopefully both.

4. Where do you go for advice?

I stay alone and find the solution through work. Also, reading classic literature and modern writers.

5. Do you socialise with your team after work has finished?

I don’t have enough time to be wildly social. I get invitations but I don’t usually go.

6. What would your key management advice be?

To succeed, you have to be focused.

7. Is it OK for employees to disagree with you?

Yes! All the time.

8. Have you ever made a mistake that you wish you could take back?

No. There have been a lot of mistakes but nothing major.

9. Where is the best place to prepare for leadership: MBA school or on the job?

On the job.

10. Do you read management books?

I have written my own management books but I used several references to complete mine: Nicole Aubert’s and Vincent de Gaulejac’s Le Coût de l’Excellence; Jim Collins’ Good to Great, Tom Peters and Robert H Waterman’s In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America’s Best-run Companies and Simon Sinek’s Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.