The fourth edition of Conexión CEO, the space promoted by the Packaging and Packaging Innovation Cluster To foster the exchange of experiences among senior managers and business leaders in the sector. Among the topics discussed was the fact that senior management in the packaging industry faces an increasingly demanding environment, in which companies must make agile decisions, manage diverse teams, anticipate new challenges, and maintain competitiveness. In this context, the role of CEOs is key to building stronger, better-prepared organizations capable of responding to future challenges.
This time, the meeting included the participation of Juan Antonio Germán Monge, an expert with more than 35 years of experience in senior management, who has given the presentation “Simple Decisions and Good Leaders”.
Based on his experience in benchmark projects related to Mercadona, Valencia Basket, Fundación Trinidad Alfonso and the Roig ArenaGermán shared with the attendees a practical vision on how senior management should act in times of complexity: reinforcing leadership by example, putting people at the center and assuming that business success depends, to a large extent, on the quality of the teams.
Germán has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the CEOE and from the advice of AECOC, Ecoembes and Asedas, among other reference institutions, and currently works as a corporate advisor, university professor, general manager of the Valencian driver with international projection Tosha Schareina (Spanish's main hope to win the Dakar Rally) and member of various strategic business councils.
The session, held in the Roig Arena of ValenciaIt has had a dynamic and participatory character, allowing attendees to reflect on key issues for business management: how to select managerial profiles, how to lead teams in uncertain environments, how to make strategic decisions and how to generate organizational cultures based on trust, responsibility and excellence.
Representatives from leading industrial companies in the packaging ecosystem attended the event, including Joaquín Rodrigo, CEO of Car VolumeHerman Vera, CEO of CIPASI Karton GroupPaco Añón, CEO of Lantero-Emsur Group DivisionFrancisco Vidal, CEO of AMCOR; Julien Fournier, CEO of Qiub PackagingIsidoro Sánchez, CEO of Temps PrintersAntonio Moliner, CEO and Sustainability Director of LithothuriaJosé Orbe, general manager of Gamoy cartonsJaime García, managing director of Guztec PolymersJavier García, director of siegwerkRafael Brotons, CEO of ITC-PackagingAmaya Fernández, CEO of IRISEM and president of the Cluster; and Jesús Pérez, director of the Cluster.
Empathize with people
During his presentation, Juan Antonio Germán argued that CEOs must act with a combination of strategic vision, humility, and execution skills. He explained that managing a company requires more than just accumulating technical knowledge or industry experience; it is essential to empathize with people, understand team dynamics, and create environments where every professional can contribute value.
In this regard, he pointed out that one of the common mistakes in selecting management profiles is focusing too much on technical skills and not paying enough attention to the human dimension. For Germán, understanding the person is key, because it is attitude, empathy, and the ability to integrate into a team that allow for conflict resolution, facing challenges, and sustaining an organization's growth.
He also emphasized that CEOs in the packaging sector must surround themselves with people who possess sound judgment, commitment, and the ability to offer alternatives. From this perspective, senior management should not view leadership as a position from which they always have all the answers, but rather as the capacity to build competent teams, listen openly, and make better-informed decisions.
Another key message of the session was the importance of leading by example. The expert emphasized the need for genuine active listening, acknowledging mistakes, and involving teams in the strategy. He explained that when people understand the organization's direction and feel involved in the decisions, their level of engagement increases and the company becomes more responsive.
Germán also emphasized that preparation is an essential part of success. He pointed out that in senior management, nothing should be left to chance, especially when facing negotiations, strategic decisions, or high-impact projects.
Finally, decision-making was another key theme of the meeting. Germán argued that, when faced with business challenges, CEOs must have the courage to make decisions, take risks, and move forward even when there is no absolute certainty. He shared that some of the most rewarding experiences of his career have arisen precisely from new situations, where it was necessary to start from scratch.
CEO Connection is an activity of the Packaging Innovation Cluster whose objective is to create spaces for reflection among senior managers of industrial packaging companies to share experiences, analyze trends and discuss key issues related to leadership, talent management, business strategy and decision-making.
