Why Most Leaders Are Obeyed but Not Followed with Rene Pascal Gonthier

This episode explores why many leaders are obeyed but not truly followed, and what that costs businesses. Rene Gonthier shares real-life stories and practical advice on building trust, motivating teams, and the difference between managers and true leaders. Listeners gain actionable tips to boost trust and team performance.

About the guest:

René Pascal Gonthier is the founder and Managing Director of Gonthier Consulting, an executive leadership advisory boutique based in Zürich, Switzerland. With 25+ years as a senior leader and board member at international companies , he has led teams across 10+ countries with full P&L responsibility.

René's work sits at the intersection of commercial performance and human leadership, the conviction that trust, not authority, is what makes people genuinely follow. He advises GL-Mitglieder and senior leaders in DACH mid-sized companies on executive leadership, AI readiness, and team development.

Relevant links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rené-gonthier

https://www.gonthier-consulting.com

Key Take-Aways

Trust drives performance: When teams trust their leader, motivation and business results improve naturally. Managers use authority; true leaders listen, empower, and build trust with their teams. Early signs of lost trust: A quiet team and lack of open discussion can signal fading trust before results drop. Chapters

0:00 - Intro

0:35 - Leadership Insights with Rene Gonthier

1:24 - Exploring Management vs. Leadership