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How has your father’s moral compass influenced your leadership style?

How has your father’s moral compass influenced your leadership style?

Rolf Sigmund emphasizes the importance of leading with integrity, drawing from life lessons instilled by his father during their family bakery business. He highlights three core principles: valuing employees, nurturing client relationships, and maintaining self-honesty, which are essential for effective leadership and team management. Sigmund asserts that these “simple principles” serve as a moral compass, guiding decisions and fostering authentic communication in business. He reflects that true leadership is not influenced by career stage or location but is rooted in personal values and ethical convictions. Ultimately, these ideals shape company values and career plans, ensuring long-term success. According to Rolf Sigmund, embracing these foundational elements creates resilient leadership. Don’t miss more tips and insights on leadership in the full episode.

2026·Season 2·Episodio 6Highlight
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Rolf Sigmund · Board Member / ex-Managing Director

Leadership insights

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Transcription

00:03

LEADING WITH INTEGRITY

00:12

"How has your father's moral compass influenced the way you lead?" Well, that's very simple.

00:22

We had...a bakery at home, that is, a small artisanal business.

00:28

And there, of course, you're very close to it and always aware of what goes on in the business, and...

00:34

from a young age,it's practically taught from the cradle.

00:38

And one day, I think I was about 14 or 15,my father said to me:"Hey...

00:45

I want to tell you a few things." And I said: "Yes, of course." And he said: "Look, there are three things that will be important to you in life." And I said: "Okay." And he said: "What matters in life are your employees, your clients,and most importantly,that you can look at yourself in the mirror every morning." At first, I think I tucked it away in my mind somehow,but little by little I became more and more conscious of it.

01:17

And those three things have had a big impact on me.

01:21

And it struck me in the sense that it doesn't matter where you are,you have to be yourself, because otherwise, you cannot lead a team.

01:31

You must be authentic, you have your personality and that inner compass.

01:36

And that inner compass, as I said,was based on respect for employees,because I cannot do it without them."The team is the hero" — that also comes from this.

01:48

Then, the clients, of course.If I don't look after my clients,the business won't work.

01:54

This also means respecting them,doing a good work,and building strong relationships with them.

02:04

And the most important thing is honesty.Being honest with yourself,because there are always temptations along your career where you wonder:"Could I do this?

02:16

The client is a bit difficult.I could create a parallel market with the product,but it would boost sales." Having that inner compass telling you:"What can I justify with my moral principles and convictions and what can't I?" And I don't think that depends at all on the stage of your career or the country you're in.

02:42

And that actually helped me a lot not to stray,to be able to adapt again and again.

02:51

It was like a rock amid the storm.And to this day I am very grateful to my father for that.

02:58

Simple principles, yet they helped me a great deal.