Team Leader: L’Oréal’s Nicolas Hieronimus

Nicolas Hieronimus may have started his career at L’Oréal as product manager of a hairspray called Invisible, but there’s been nothing inconspicuous about his career. The executive, who first joined the world’s largest beauty company in February 1987, is poised to take its reins as chief executive officer on May 1. He will be responsible guiding the business through one of the most turbulent periods in history. Hieronimus’ rise through the ranks has been steady and notable — but talk to him about his achievements and he makes clear that he views himself as only one small part of his success. “I really believe in the power of the team and of the collective,” said the 57-year-old die-hard sportsman (and fan). “No success can be achieved alone, and my role as a leader is to build the best possible team and — keeping with the sports analogy — to put the best players in the best position for them. Then to give them the confidence, trust, empowerment and freedom to operate and leverage their skills.” L’Oréal CEOs have long been fond of sports analogies, but whereas Hieronimus’ immediate predecessors Jean-Paul Agon and Lindsay Owen-Jones favored nautical metaphors, his conjure up images of team

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