What does a CEO's everyday life look like? At least for Nicolas Niedhart, it starts quite unspectacularly: arriving, getting coffee, walking through the hallways, and greeting colleagues. So the red carpet can stay rolled up.
In the Leister video podcast, the CEO of the Leister Group meets Andreas Cellar, Managing Director of Leister Germany, and moderator Jonas Leimann. The result is not a stiff management discussion, but an open conversation about leadership, responsibility, and where Leister wants to be by 2030.
Discussion at Eye Level
Trust instead of micromanagement. Take responsibility, make decisions, and also accept it when something doesn't work out for once. Nicolas describes his leadership approach as decentralized entrepreneurship. People should manage their area of responsibility as if it were their own company. And Andreas? He appreciates exactly this freedom and the opportunity to openly discuss different opinions.
Or, as Nicolas puts it: “I am not all alone.” Because even at the top, you need people to exchange ideas with, provide feedback, and sometimes simply act as sparring partners.
People, Products, and a Goal for 2030
Despite all the focus on strategy, the customer remains at the center. “We make products for people to make work easier for people,” says Andreas. And for him, change is part of that. A company can only survive if it constantly adapts and continues to evolve.
With the strategy: “Let’s go 2030” Leister has set a clear horizon for the future. The path to get there may change. But he goal remains the same.
And Nicolas? He would like to look back in 2030 and be able to say: “We gave it our best as a team, achieved what was possible, and can be proud of it.” In between, the podcast is also touches on AI in driving, coffee, aviation, sailing, late-night thoughts, and a CEO's realization after an intense workday: “I am simply much more tired in the evening. The days are intense, but I am very fulfilled by what I do.”
Curious? Then listen to or watch the podcast and get to know Nicolas Niedhart and Andreas Cellar in a personal conversation.
