243 Alberto Fochesato Managing Director of Würth Industry Japan

Previously Alberto was Sales Director-Industry APA in HoChiMinh,
Sales Director-Industry APA Shanghai, Sales Director -South/East
China Shanghai, Purchasing and Logistic Assistant Manager CTC
Clatronic Padova Italy, HR & Market support Driving Force
Asia Shanghai, Timesharing sales Representative Interval
International Italy


He has a BA and MA from Universita Ca’ Foscari Venezia.


Alberto offers a rich and reflective account of his leadership
journey and philosophy in his interview. A linguist by education,
Alberto’s fascination with languages and cultures led him from
Italy to China and eventually to Japan, where he launched Würth’s
new operation. His path to leadership was shaped by
cross-cultural experiences and a strong belief in curiosity,
adaptability, and connection.


Alberto emphasizes that leadership, particularly in a
multicultural context, requires more than strategic planning—it
demands emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and the
ability to inspire trust. Establishing Würth Industries Japan
from scratch, he understood early on that success hinged not only
on business acumen but also on building a resilient and engaged
team. He sees recruitment as the foundation of retention: hiring
people with the right motivation, and being transparent about
both the opportunities and challenges ahead. He believes in
aligning individual values with company culture, which for Würth
is deeply rooted in gratitude, respect, humility, and curiosity.


To retain talent, Alberto fosters a collaborative culture where
trust and open communication are paramount. He instituted monthly
one-on-one meetings to ensure employees feel heard and supported,
emphasizing empathy and adjusting his management style to better
fit the Japanese context. He candidly acknowledges that being
direct and fast-paced, as was effective in China, required
tempering in Japan to avoid cultural misalignment.


He is a firm believer in creating a shared company spirit. In his
view, remote work, while necessary during COVID, can hinder team
cohesion. Thus, he encourages regular in-office interaction to
cultivate connection and engagement. He values ideation and
encourages his team to think creatively within company
frameworks—what he calls “making the box bigger” rather than
thinking outside it.


Alberto likens leadership to rugby, a sport he once played,
emphasizing that success comes not from individual stars but from
coordinated teamwork. A leader, he asserts, is like a coach who
must assemble diverse talents and create a strategy where
everyone’s role is vital. His leadership style is marked by
humility, a focus on long-term commitment, and a deep desire to
help people grow. Above all, he champions leading with
authenticity and purpose, building trust not through
declarations, but through consistent actions.