Leadership, Collaboration, and the Art of Precision

24 September 2025, I had the privilege to contribute to the organization of a leadership conference that brought together about 250 participants at HEC Lausanne.

The conference at HEC Lausanne on September 24 (Maxime Gubler)

What made this event so remarkable was the caliber of the speakers — Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, and Prof. Marianne Schmid Mast, Dean of HEC Lausanne — and also the spirit of dialogue between academia and industry, embodied by the collaboration between Audemars Piguet, HEC Lausanne – The Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne, The Swiss Center for Luxury Research (SCLR), and Luxury Tribune.

Behind the scenes, it was a lesson in leadership on its own. Working hand in hand with colleagues from different teams reminded me of the inner workings of a Swiss watch — every gear precise, every movement interdependent, every detail meaningful. For me, this experience was a masterclass in teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and managing complexity with trust — all in the service of delivering outcomes that create real impact.

The conference theme — “What Kind of Leadership Do We Need in an Uncertain World?” — could not be more timely. Listening to Ilaria Resta and Professor Schmid Mast reflect on leadership grounded in listening, learning, and transparency was a powerful reminder that genuine leadership does not begin with authority but with empathy and curiosity.

“A good leader is always open to learning. They learn first, then act, not the other way around.” — Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet

I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an inspiring event — and to witness how true collaboration between institutions, journalists, and practitioners can advance meaningful conversations about leadership.

A heartfelt thank you to Prof. Felicitas Morhart, Cristina D’Agostino, Justine Offredi, Melissa Kilickaya, and all those who made this event possible.

📸 You can find highlights and photos from the event, as well as Luxury Tribune’s coverage, here:👉 What Style of Leadership Do We Need in an Uncertain World?