What immediately comes to mind when you hear this quote?
With this quote, I spontaneously think of my characteristic to take initiative and to ask for advice and help. At my first employer, Delhaize, I learned that cooperation is essential to achieve goals. I was therefore a manager at a very young age and learned that there is nothing wrong in asking advice from older colleagues. I noticed that if you do this with respect and authenticity, they were quickly open to sharing their years of experience with a young guy like me.
Do you use any particular techniques when seeking advice?
I listen actively and with an open mind to what people tell me. I also try to give feedback afterwards on what I have started with their advice. That is how I complete the circle.
Asking for advice is also making yourself vulnerable, isn't it?
I don't know about that. You can also see this as a sign of strength, as a signal of self-knowledge. It is important to know what your strengths and weaknesses are, but also what your blind spots are. Advice helps me make a judgment from different points of view, but ultimately I decide what I will do with the advice.
Because ultimately, as the CEO, it is you who must make the decisions?
Yes, but I prefer to do this together with my team. Fortunately, I have a fantastic team with people who surround me as much as possible and who are complementary. They know me well and know that I am a very driven entrepreneur full of energy who sometimes overlooks things because of his drive. (laughs)
Who or what inspires you?
I have a love-hate relationship with management theories and fancy quotes. I often lack practicality. Entrepreneurship is hard work. Full stop. The only team management model I use is Patrick Lencioni's "5 dysfunctions of a team".
Which quote would you like to see analysed in the future by Dr Quote?
"On s'engage et puis on voit." It is a quote of Napoleon and was used by my grandfather André Leysen as an intro in his book "Crises are challenges". This quote is about commitment and dedication, but also about modesty and the voluntarism to solve problems. Being able to combine both attitudes is very important to me.
