In this month’s Executive Connection, Direct Selling News Publisher and Editor in Chief John Fleming speaks with Alessandro Carlucci, CEO of Natura, about leadership, building relationships and the relevance of direct selling throughout the world.
DSN: What is the one thing you enjoy most about being the CEO of Natura?
AC: What motivates me the most is to see that I’m part of a group of people that want to do business and, at the same time, contribute to the well-being of people, society and the planet.
DSN: What has been your greatest challenge?
AC: The greatest challenges in my career were always and continue to be related to the development of leaders.
DSN: What do you tell consultants to lead and inspire them?
AC: First of all, I’d like to reiterate that I’m very inspired by the work and the engagement with our consultants. I always renew my energies meeting our consultants, and at such opportunities I tell them to focus their activity on well-being and that the transformation we want to see in the world starts in them.
DSN: What is your personal vision for Natura?
AC: I believe that we have an opportunity to show society the force of our industry and the relevance that we can have in a world in constant transformation, increasingly connected and impacted by different socio-environmental challenges.
In this sense, I see that the international community, increasingly concerned with these challenges, will recognize more and more the initiatives of companies committed to building a new model of development.
Thus, I believe that we will evolve our desire to make Natura a global brand recognized by its corporate behavior, the quality of the relations it establishes and its products and services, as well as by the community of people committed to building a better world.
DSN: Is there one basic principle which governs your leadership at Natura?
AC: Relationships. Building quality and genuine relationships is what has mobilized my experience at Natura.
DSN: What’s one piece of advice that you’ve found especially useful?
AC: I’ve learned that we should recognize that we do not know everything and that we can always learn from others.
DSN: Which other direct selling company or person do you admire the most and why?
AC: I have always admired Neil Offen, ex-President of USDSA and Secretary of WFDSA. With his entire life dedicated to our industry, Neil has defended and strengthened the image of our industry around the world, as well as captivating everyone with his charisma. Neil is an example for future generations of leaders in direct sales.
DSN: What do you like to do for fun?
AC: I like to get together with family and cook for everyone.
