Vivian Mohr is Chief Operating Officer of Bauer Media Group, one of Europe’s largest media businesses, operating across radio, publishing, digital platforms and outdoor advertising. Before joining Bauer, he built his career across consulting, technology and media, including leadership roles at McKinsey, Comparis and major European media organisations.

In this episode of Mentor, Vivian reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, from growing up between Germany and the United States, studying in Dubai and Cambridge, to leading transformation programmes across international businesses. He shares why some of the most important career opportunities are often the ones that feel uncomfortable, and how stepping into roles he felt unprepared for accelerated his growth.

Vivian explains why even the best strategies fail without belief, alignment and execution. He reveals the three qualities he believes every leader must balance: clarity, courage and humility. He also discusses the importance of psychological safety, building trust across cultures, bringing people with you through change, and why leadership is less about having all the answers and more about creating an environment where great ideas can emerge.

Along the way, he shares lessons learned from McKinsey, the career mistake that taught him the importance of taking people on the journey, and why meeting people where they are is one of the most underrated leadership skills.

Whether you’re leading a team, navigating a career transition, managing change or aspiring to senior leadership, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from a leader responsible for helping shape the future of one of Europe’s most influential media companies.

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