fabrice leclerc

Humility: Why Beginner's Mind is the Ultimate Strategy.

When Häagen-Dazs’ European headquarters launched, I embarked on a crash course in deep cultural adaptation across Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Scandinavia. This period was a relentless training in the power of a beginner’s mind, believing we know nothing, to truly open possibility and adapt.

A test arrived when I became CEO in Italy, the temple of gelato, taste, and design. I knew business blueprints wouldn’t work because they had never been enough in such competitive environment. I was left with only my instinct, which whispered: business is about making friends, not selling products.

I pivoted to an emotional strategy centered on what mattered to Italians: heritage, beauty, design, and shared moments. I tried to create an experience that resonated on a deep level.

This path led to a powerful collaboration with Alberto Alessi, the "Godfather of Italian design." Working with him, I learned how to engineer the ‘love effect.’ We hosted spontaneous tastings at Milan fashion shows and on scooters. The results were dramatic: in few years, the brand became Italy’s most beloved luxury ice cream, outclassing major giants.

This success story attracted the attention of the president of L’Oréal Prestige Brands, with whom I replicated these instinctive strategies to elevate the ‘love effect’ for titans like Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Kiehl’s.

A chance encounter with Steve Jobs in California later ignited my vision to create the first personal fragrance player, determined to revolutionize the fragrance industry. Leading cross-cultural teams from both Apple and L’Oréal, I saw the profound impact possible when diverse, world-class talent unites behind a shared, courageous goal.

I have maintained this pace of creation ever since, from co-founding the SkyPlay innovation lab, envisioning Nespresso's global Positive Cup program, inspiring the Pictet's first regenerative fund. My passion for regenerative action drove me to advise the United Nations and launch a Nature-based solution, granted by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and recognized with both a Hollywood in Media Award and an Earthshot Prize.

Today, I am forging connections between innovation and real-world impact. As an adjunct professor at SDA Bocconi and HEC Lausanne, I share these learnings, always looking forward to spark beautiful and humble solutions.

The core lesson remains: true innovation is fueled by curiosity, intuition, and the genuine humility to connect with people, the living World and purpose.