“Try not to be a man of success, but a man of value”. These words of Albert Einstein, chosen by the Albert Hiribarrondo as a teaching for life, tell a lot about his point of view, how he sees the world and about his professional career. French national, born in Africa, engineer, founder of ALSPECTIVE and vice-chairman of TGCL (The Global Community for Leaders), he argues that skills and attitudes are the continuity of his beliefs in leadership values: caring, listening, analysing what is happening. Learn more about this brilliant professional and get inspired.

1. Disruptive technologies are driving new social habits, shared services and a new mentality amongst those generations entering the jobs market. We are in the middle of a transition that is having a huge impact on the global economy and entire industries. Are executives and businesses ready for such changes? Why?

Change has ever been part of all executives and companies challenges. At all Times. What is new, is the rhythm of the present changes, due to technologies, globalisation, production and exploitation of datas, social habits of new generations. So many challenges all together.
There is an acceleration of technology changes, and possible market segmentation of those who master them (like exploiting datas) and those who don’t; on social issues, the gaps between generations are huge.
The keys for success remain the same, but the role of leaders is changing fast. They have to consider the entire world where competition is today, globalisation, innovation, diversity assets, gender gaps, etc.
Even if present leaders are “aware” of many challenges, the speed of their own changes is slow… too slow. In this way, we are not enough ready for our future. We follow the trends instead of anticipating them. Lack of vision.
Too much short term views, not enough long term vision.

2. Specialists suggest that an era marked by disruption and transient work and personal relationships requires a new leader. How would you define this new leader?

The new leader has values. As seen by ALSPECTIVE, he focuses on meaning, impact and team. He has to be strong in 3 dimensions:

• To care
• To dare
• To share

 

 

 

3. How have you dealt with these disruptive innovations and worked on this issue with your team and clients?

We are sharing these values with all met clients and leaders, offering their exposure to the ALSPECTIVE Leadership Index. We have created 3 clear lines of services :

• Strategy (to care), for a clearer vision from the governance
• Executive search (to dare), for the composition of the executive committee
• Leadership consulting (to share), for individual and team development

Here are some examples of our achievements: designing the 2030 strategy for a French engineering school; executive search for the future CEO of a construction firm Switzerland, advising a CEO in the choice of his successor.

* The Talisman by Paul Sérusier (oil on wood, 106-1/4 x 84-5/8 inches)
appears in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

 

4. Tell us about your professional career. What skills and attitudes led you to found the respected ALSPECTIVE and, more recently, TGCL?

French national, born in Africa, engineer, former GM of a business school and world president of a NGO, I had spent 15 years in the management of business units; then 15 years in executive search. Today, I am on my ultimate goal of 15 years in ALSPECTIVE – TGCL, aligning leadership and strategy, for new perspectives, and a better world. Skills and attitudes are the continuity of my beliefs in leadership values:

• Caring, listening, analysing what is happening, the facts.
• Daring with trust: “We all think it is impossible, until it is done” (Nelson Mandela). We are born to have an impact; to make a difference.
• Sharing: “Service to Humanity is the best work of life” (JCI creed). We can only act for/with our stakeholders

5. You are a reference for professionals around the world. We would like to know who inspired you, which leaders do you admire today?

Thanks for your kind words. The persons I admire the most, in the day to day life, are leaders in my teams. They are just exceptional, together with my TGCL partners. I feel fortunate to have them with me, sharing values and missions for our clients.
In the past, my parents, Marcus Aurelius, Albert Einstein, Albert Schweitzer, Nelson Mandela, Marie Curie, Mother Theresa, the JCI creed, and Dale Carnegie have had impact on my beliefs.

6. At Dasein, we believe that art has a great ability to inspire creativity in life and at work, above all in times that require a high level of dynamism and a vision of the future. Do you have any cultural reference you would like to share? A book, a film or the work of an artist?

I share Dasein views. “Tout est là : l’amour de l’Art.”. “Everything is there: the love of art”, Gustave Flaubert.
Art elevates our thoughts and develop our emotions: “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls”, Pablo Picasso.
When possible, I love to stop by a museum of modern and contemporary art in visited cities. I am impressed by painters like Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Maurice Estève and Fauvism painter Henri Matisse, and the writer Stefan Zweig for his description of human life, characters and passion.
I love a small painting: the talisman which is seen as the start of Nabis paintings, from Paul Sérusier (see picture on the side).

«Please share a phrase or teaching that you constantly recall.
“Try not to be a man of success, but a man of value”, Albert Einstein. »