In leadership, is bold experimentation more important than perfect preparation?

FACTS MATTER MORE THAN WORDS What do we have here?"In leadership, is it more important to dare to try things "In leadership, is it more important to dare to try things than to have perfect preparation?" than to have perfect preparation?" Strategy matters, that's for sure.

Strategy matters, that's for sure.But I've always said But I've always said that the best strategy is useless if it isn't applied properly.that the best strategy is useless if it isn't applied properly.

And that's why, for me,And that's why, for me,doing...

doing...is far more important than constantly thinking, holding meetings,is far more important than constantly thinking, holding meetings,planning scenarios,planning scenarios,only to end up making no decision.only to end up making no decision.

I'm the kind of person...I'm the kind of person...

who jumps in and is willing to learn on the way,who jumps in and is willing to learn on the way,adjusting things again and again.adjusting things again and again.

And as I've mentioned, this approach And as I've mentioned, this approach creates, in my opinion,creates, in my opinion,good dynamics within the organisation.good dynamics within the organization.

There's always activity, always something going on.

There's always activity, always something going on.

Does that mean you will always get better results?

Does that mean you will always get better results?

I don't think so, both approaches are...I don't think so, both approaches are...

valid.valid.For me, this was always the best,For me, this was always the best,because, as I said,because, as I said,this ability this ability to quickly steer a company,to quickly steer a company,as in the previous metaphor,as in the previous metaphor,from the hard shoulder to the left lane on a motorway,from the hard shoulder to the left lane on a motorway,and then back again.and then back again.

I think this way it was easier.I think this way it was easier.

And that's why I also felt it was important,And that's why I also felt it was important,in such situations,in such situations,to give the team constant feedback...

to give the team constant feedback......on how the work was going and whether we were on the right track....on how the work was going and whether we were on the right track.

For example:For example:when I had — speaking specifically about Germany — when I had — speaking specifically about Germany — a business meeting in a city,a business meeting in a city,I would always take an extra half a day or an extra day I would always take an extra half a day or an extra day to visit points of sale — the stores — to visit points of sale — the stores — and see how our brands were represented.and see how our brands were represented.

This gave the organisation the chance,This gave the organization the chance,almost every week,almost every week,to receive feedback as if I were a consumer.to receive feedback as if I were a consumer.

I'd enter the shop as a customer,I'd enter the shop as a customer,I'd observe how I perceived the brands I'd observe how I perceived the brands to provide that feedback.to provide that feedback.

And, essentially,And, essentially,this was a constant correction this was a constant correction of our direction in many aspects.of our direction in many aspects.

And sometimes, my employees...And sometimes, my employees...

They didn't hate it,They didn't hate it,but naturally it was always work-related.but naturally it was always work-related.

But it was more like constant guidance But it was more like constant guidance rather than control,rather than control,which actually benefited the company which actually benefited the company and us as a team.and us as a team.

What's the ideal balance between coming up with a strategy What's the ideal balance between coming up with a strategy and executing it?and executing it?

I think it always depends on the case.I think it always depends on the case.

Is it about launching a new brand?Is it about launching a new brand?

Then the strategic part,Then the strategic part,at the start,at the start,is far more important than action.is far more important than action.

Is it about marketing an existing brand?Is it about marketing an existing brand?

Then action is more important than strategy.Then action is more important than strategy.

But the truly key point But the truly key point is finding the right balance.is finding the right balance.

And that also And that also applies to leadership style.applies to leadership style.

It should be reflected It should be reflected in how you work with your team.in how you work with your team.

And here,And here,I find it very, very important I find it very, very important to provide super-constant feedback to provide super-constant feedback so you... avoid the risk so you... avoid the risk that, for months, the train moves in one direction that, for months, the train moves in one direction and you don't notice,and you don't notice,but, as I've said, that constant...

but, as I've said, that constant...I like the idea of accompanying I like the idea of accompanying and adjusting.and adjusting.

When hiring someone new,When hiring someone new,do you trust them from day one, or do they have to earn it?do you trust them from day one, or do they have to earn it?

That is...That is...an interesting topic.an interesting topic.

And I think my opinion on this has changed over the years.

And I think my opinion on this has changed over the years.

When I was young, I was more the type When I was young, I was more the type not to trust at all initially,not to trust at all initially,and over time I've realised and over time I've realised that doesn't work.that doesn't work.

Especially in today's complex world,Especially in today's complex world,I have to make a leap of faith from the start.

I have to make a leap of faith from the start.There's no other way.

There's no other way.At first, it was very difficult for me,At first, it was very difficult for me,but with experience,but with experience,I've been able to trust more.

I've been able to trust more.I think I've also improved I think I've also improved in this aspect,in this aspect,and ultimately, that allowed me to approach the situation and ultimately, that allowed me to approach the situation with much more serenity.with much more serenity.

But I think, if I could give some advice today,But I think, if I could give some advice today,I would always tend I would always tend to trust more from the start,to trust more from the start,so that from the very first moment,so that from the very first moment,the employee feels they can also...

the employee feels they can also...take risks and tackle their work with courage.take risks and tackle their work with courage.