229 Aytekin Yildiz, APAC Cluster CEO Group BEL, President Bel Japan

Aytekin previously was Greater Turkey Cluster General Manager, Turkey Country Manager, CFO Turkey, Sales Controlling Group Manager Paris Groupe Danone, Project Manager, Sabanchi Holding Danone JV.  He has a BA Business Administration from Bogazici University and MA Finance & Accounting from Marmara University.

Summary

Aytekin Yildiz, APAC Cluster CEO of Group Bel and President of Bel Japan, shared insights from his two-and-a-half years in Japan during this interview. Having a background in finance, he transitioned into leadership roles through deliberate career moves and support from Bel. He emphasised that successful leadership in Japan requires understanding the cultural nuances of indirect communication, risk aversion, and perfectionism.

To engage his team, Aytekin stressed the importance of starting with "Why" and co-creating a vision through collaborative workshops. He introduced a "test and learn" approach to encourage agility, assuring his team that failure is acceptable if it leads to learning. Aytekin publicly treated failures as collective rather than individual, using them as opportunities for growth and reflection.

He highlighted the importance of trust in Japanese workplaces, built through authenticity, transparency, and consistency. Respecting Japanese culture while maintaining his own identity was key to his leadership style. Aytekin noted the importance of balancing strategic and operational leadership, often engaging directly with his teams during crises to demonstrate support.

Innovation, he said, is strong in Japan but requires a leader to unleash its potential. He cited successful initiatives, such as introducing unique product innovations like sweet cheese and collaborations with Japanese IP, as examples of Japan's creativity.

For leaders coming to Japan, Aytekin advised adopting a listening mindset, understanding the local culture, and building trust through collaboration. He emphasised the value of blending global strategies with local market realities to drive meaningful change.

Aytekin defined leadership as guiding and inspiring people toward a common vision through engaging conversations. His leadership journey underscores the importance of adaptability, empathy, and fostering innovation to succeed in diverse and complex markets like Japan.