Episode #243: Alberto Fochesato, Managing Director, Wurst 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.