Why great leaders always assume good intentions artwork
CEO: Behind the Scenes

Why great leaders always assume good intentions

  • S1E28
  • 39:27
  • September 30th 2025

What if the key to exceptional leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about how you view the people around you? In this episode, Stefan Vermeulen, Managing Director of Nespresso Oceania, reveals his transformative leadership philosophy and the five-part framework that has guided his 15-year journey with one of the world’s most iconic brands.

Vermeulen discusses his “5Cs” leadership model, why vulnerability is actually a sign of strength and how building your own personal board of advisors can accelerate your growth. He also shares insights on leading through legacy, balancing global brand consistency with local innovation and how assuming good intentions changed how he approaches every leadership challenge.

Packed with practical frameworks and real-world examples from sustainability initiatives to team dynamics, this conversation offers a masterclass in authentic leadership for today’s complex business environment.

Listen now to discover the mindset shifts that separate good leaders from truly great ones.

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Follow Stefan Vermeulen and Nespresso:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-vermeulen-a1b2736

Website: https://www.nespresso.com/

CEO: Behind the Scenes

It's easy to forget that behind the title of CEO lies a human. In CEO Behind the Scenes, a podcast from The CEO Magazine, we want to explore the human behind the company and the figure behind the figurehead role as CEOs share their journeys with us.

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