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.