At YPO EDGE Barcelona 2025, John Galantic, CEO of Tod’s Group and a leader behind iconic brands like Chanel, Ferrari, and Bacardi, provides rare insights into the art of leadership, brand-building, and navigating family-owned luxury businesses. Moderated by Rob Frances, this session reveals candid lessons from the front lines of executive management, luxury branding, and succession planning.

Key Takeaways:
- Brand Building and Culture: John Galantic highlighted the importance of building brands that influence culture, balancing short-term goals with long-term equity.
- Family-Owned Businesses: John stated he values working in family-controlled companies, especially in luxury, where long-term vision and legacy are key.
- Listening and Adaptability: A lesson John’s wife taught him centered upon the importance of listening rather than solving problems, especially in a female-dominated company like Chanel.
- Succession Planning: John emphasized the need for professional managers to understand family values and dynamics when mentoring future leaders.
- Luxury and Sports Convergence: John highlighted the increasing overlap between luxury and sports, where authenticity and unique experiences are valued.