Intertek Group CEO, André Lacroix, shared tips on implementing vision and mission in leadership during a public lecture at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), University of Indonesia, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
During the lecture, André Lacroix also launched his self-authored book titled “Leadership with Soul.” According to him, the book serves as a reflection on what it takes to be a good leader.
“This book is an invitation for current and future leaders to pause and reflect on what it takes to be a good leader,” said André Lacroix at the Prof. Dr. Ir. Soemantri Brodjonegoro Auditorium, FMIPA UI, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
“As I mentioned some time ago, I truly believe that the opportunities for current and future leaders are immense,” he added.
In Leadership with Soul, Lacroix reveals how to successfully build a business. This model has been developed over more than three decades through his leadership roles at world-renowned organizations including Ernst & Young, PepsiCo, Burger King, Euro Disney, Inchcape, Reckitt Benckiser, and Intertek.
He combines anecdotes and real-life stories to bring his 10 leadership principles to life.
This offers readers tools to think differently about leadership and to place people at the heart of strategic decisions.
The aim is to deliver sustainable growth and value for all stakeholders.
Lacroix emphasized that leading a company or organization requires hard work.
Being a good leader, he said, takes time, determination, and an open mind.
“In my opinion, good leaders must work with strong values. They need to lead with a purpose that is inspiring and meaningful to every employee,” he said.
In addition, good leaders must be visionary, entrepreneurial, and innovative.
“And they need to understand how to create sustainable value and growth for all stakeholders,” he continued.
Building a Support System and Growing Together
Lacroix reiterated that good leadership is also about placing people at the center of a growing strategic vision.
He added that although there are many definitions of good leadership, simply put, it is about delivering outstanding results for those around you.
“And that’s the essence of leadership. To deliver exceptional results every day, you must prioritize people,” he stated.
According to Lacroix, leadership is a journey. Therefore, one must always be thinking about self-improvement.
“There are companies that are over-managed and under-led, and one of the key issues is that current leaders are too focused on short-term results,” he said.
He believes that good leadership is not just about short-term outcomes, but also medium- and long-term results.
Separately, Dr. Asep Saefumillah, Head of the Chemistry Department at FMIPA UI, stated that the initiative to invite André Lacroix stemmed from the department’s belief in the importance of instilling leadership qualities in the younger generation, especially young scientists.
Asep expressed hope that with strong leadership spirit, young scientists would be able to thrive in industry, government, and even entrepreneurship.
“Only with leadership that leads with heart can the younger generation and young scientists make a positive impact and bring meaningful change to our civilization and nation,” concluded the Monash University Australia alumnus.
