Episode #252: Marc Bolduc, ITL Food Division and Representative Director Japan

“If you’re going to lead a team in Japan, trust is the number one thing you have to build.”

“I didn’t want it to be too top-down—I wanted everyone to feel part of one unit.”

“Celebrate success, but do it as a team—that’s how you motivate in Japan.”

“Innovation needs a safe environment where people feel they won’t be punished for trying.”

“Foreign leaders must become the voice of Japan inside headquarters—that’s how you build real credibility.”

Previously Marc was Vice President of Business Development (Asia) for Fleury Michon; General Manager and President of Hitachi High Tech AW Cyro Inc; Manager, Strategic Planning Division Hitachi High Tech AW Cyro Inc; Account Manager Hitachi High Technologies America; Account Manager & Strategic Business Development Sumitomo Corporation of Americas; International Trade Specialist Nestle. He has a BA from McGill University and an MBA from HEC Montreal

Marc emphasises that successful leadership in Japan hinges on trust, cultural fluency, and consistent demonstration of commitment. Early in his career, he observed stark contrasts in leadership style when working with Japanese managers in Canada versus in Japan. These experiences shaped his hybrid leadership approach—combining Western transparency and inclusivity with Japanese respect for hierarchy and consensus. His leadership style aims to build team unity through communication, mutual respect, and involvement in shared goals.

When leading multicultural teams, Marc prioritises creating a safe environment for open communication, especially in cultures where speaking out is rare. He actively encourages idea generation by ensuring team members feel heard and respected. His approach balances recognising individual contributions with collective achievements to align with Japan’s group-oriented mindset. He acknowledges that overly individual praise can provoke discomfort among Japanese team members and thus tailors recognition to suit cultural sensitivities.

Marc also underlines the importance of learning the local language—not just to improve communication, but to demonstrate respect and effort in understanding the culture. His fluency in Japanese helps him earn credibility with both clients and employees, allowing him to lead from the front by accompanying team members to meetings and engaging directly with customers.
Throughout his career, Marc has navigated challenging situations such as building a new office, managing across time zones, and driving innovation within traditional corporate structures. He sees innovation not just as a technical pursuit, but as a process that relies on team engagement, empowerment, and a tolerance for risk and failure. He believes celebrating both success and the lessons of failure sustains a healthy innovation culture.

Marc also highlights the strategic role leaders play in bridging headquarters and local operations. In Japan, credibility often stems not from one’s title, but from the ability to get things done for the local team. Building trust with both headquarters and local staff is crucial for success, particularly in a country where institutional memory is long and relationship-based business prevails.

Ultimately, Marc’s leadership philosophy is grounded in empathy, humility, cultural sensitivity, and long-term thinking. He leads by example, listens deeply, and invests in relationships—not just to drive business, but to sustain trust over the long haul in the Japanese market.