Episode 19: Simon Robert – Intention to Alignment: Rethinking Leadership and Corporate Strategy

Vision care is evolving, but are we solving the right problems?

In this episode, Dr. Trevor Miranda sits down with Simon Robert, Head of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at EssilorLuxottica Canada. With a background in corporate responsibility and a personal connection to vision health, Simon offers a systems perspective: how to lead change in a legacy industry without losing sight of the people it’s meant to serve.

He breaks down how to align corporate social responsibility into your business outcomes, why independent optometrists need to challenge the “turf war” mindset, and what it looks like to lead across the three spheres of influence: industry, institutions, and individuals.

For optometry leaders navigating market shifts, new technologies, and rising expectations, this episode offers a rare look at how to align business growth with systemic impact, without losing sight of the people at the center of it all.

Show Notes:

00:01:00 Simon’s path to corporate responsibility

00:04:08 Introduction to EssilorLuxottica and vision care

00:12:38 Treating myopia

00:21:57 Essilor Luxottica Med-Tech

00:24:54 - AI tools in eyecare

00:32:53 Navigating power dynamics

00:35:25 Change management

00:37:33 The chess match of corporate strategy

00:39:49 Creating authenticity

00:45:09 Managing priorities

00:49:21 Empowering your teams

00:57:26 Use your suppliers

01:00:44 Balancing profit and social impact

01:02:02 Offering myopia management solutions

01:04:29 Independence versus partnering with a large organization

01:10:03 Habits for continuous improvement

Mentioned in this episode:

• Stellist lenses by EssilorLuxottica
• The Obstacle is the Way – Book by Ryan Holiday
• 
  Buy Back Your Time – Book by Dan Martell