Leading with Love with Bob Chavez, Former CEO of Hermès Americas

Can love be a serious strategy in today’s high-pressure business environment?

In this episode of A Podcast About Leadership, host and AIIR Consulting CEO Dr. Jonathan Kirchner is joined by Bob Chavez — former President and CEO of Hermès Americas — and Jamie Ramsden — a former CEO, author, and executive coach to both Jonathan and Bob.

Together, they explore a deliberate alternative to fear-based leadership and short-term thinking: A leadership philosophy centered on trust, care for people, and long-term commitment.

Drawing on Bob’s extraordinary journey — from his childhood on what he calls “the wrong side of the tracks” in San Antonio to his years at Princeton to stewarding one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands for more than two decades — the conversation reveals how timeless values, emotional courage, and disciplined focus can produce enduring performance in even the most competitive industries.

This episode is a masterclass in human-centered leadership and a reminder that the most powerful force in business may still be the one leaders are most hesitant to name.