30: Thorsten Pohl, Ex-President CEO, Boehringer Ingelheim Japan

 


Thorsten Pohl, Ex-President CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Japan,
talks about his global leadership experience in the
pharmaceutical industry, having worked across continents in
Brazil, Spain, and Japan. From a young age, Mr. Pohl aspired to
work abroad, growing up in Germany in the age of the European
Union where he saw opportunities beyond the limits of his home
country. Mr. Pohl joined Boehringer Ingelheim shortly after
graduating from university with an Economics and Business
Administration background, being drawn to the human centric
values of the family-owned pharmaceutical company.


 


Mr. Pohl started working in Brazil during the first few years at
the company, then became the Head of the Spain branch, before
moving to Japan. Working in various cultures around the world,
Mr. Pohl shares valuable insight on leading and motivating
employees in the unique Japanese business culture. Moreover, Mr.
Pohl values consistency, communication, and gaining consensus in
order to build trust and effectively manage a team of 1600
people.


 


For newcomers in Japan, Mr. Pohl advises to “listen, watch, try
to understand people…build relationships with people and see
things through their eyes and be patient. But also say what you
want and make people understand how you want to lead.”