205 - From Two Duffel Bags to 15,000 Employees: How the CEO of Greif Built a World-Class Company

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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone speaks with Ole Rosgaard, President and CEO of Greif, as he brings 25+ years of global leadership across public, private, and PE firms. A former military officer and Harvard Business School alumni, he shares how living in five countries shaped his “people-first” style. Ole gives insights into building resilient teams, scaling Greif’s success through culture, innovation, and AI, and leading with purpose in a fast-changing world.

Ole shares how CEOs can grow by being uncomfortable, staying curious, and putting people first. He explains how leaders should build trust, lead with purpose, and create a safe space for teams to try, fail, and learn. With clear stories and advice, Ole shows how culture, resilience, and clear values help leaders guide their people through change. He also shares how using data, instincts, and teamwork can drive smart decisions and lasting success in today’s fast-moving world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why being uncomfortable helps leaders grow and get better.
• How to build a people-first culture that drives strong results.
• Why trust, values, and clear thinking matter in tough times.
• Ways to lead big changes using data, instincts, and courage.
• How to support teams by making risk-taking and learning safe.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Teaser and introduction of Ole Rosgaard

[03:07] - How working across 5 continents shaped his leadership

[04:12] - From Denmark to the UK: Ole’s start in business

[07:13] - Why discomfort is key to personal and career growth

[13:09] - Taking risks and trusting instincts as a CEO

[15:56] - What Greif does and its impact on daily life

[21:26] - Why Harvard made Greif a business case study

[27:43] - Ole’s CEO transition and time management tips

[33:18] - Leading as an introvert and embracing discomfort

[39:07] - Handling uncertainty and turning stress into energy

[40:42] - Where to follow Ole and learn more about his work

Follow Our Guest Ole Rosgaard:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orosgaard/ 

• Greif: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greif/ 

• Greif (Website): https://www.greif.com/ 

Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
• Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/

Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:

• Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
• Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
• Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/
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⭐If you're leading a team, driving change, or building a strong work culture, this talk with Ole Rosgaard shares real stories, simple tools, and smart lessons to lead with courage, clarity, and heart in today’s fast-changing world.

#Leadership #PeopleFirst #GrowthMindset #ResilientTeams #OleRosgaard #Greif #WorldClassLeadersShow