This week I had the opportunity to catch up with Johannes from Rosen Group USA. The time I spent with him was so valuable that I felt compelled to put together a story about it.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom
I don’t often write about clients, but occasionally someone reshapes the way you think about leadership and influence. Johannes Spille did exactly that.
Conventional wisdom says meaningful organisational change starts at the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) table, strategy flows top-down and execution follows. Johannes challenged that assumption. Deeply committed to the organisation he serves and confident in its potential, he stepped into an initiative typically owned by the ELT and delivered significant impact.
Leading the MRI Initiative
I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Johannes at Rosen Group to implement the Market Responsiveness Index (MRI) over the past five months. At MarketCulture, we usually work directly with executive leadership teams. In this case, Johannes led the initiative himself, gaining full ELT support.
When he presented the MRI proposal to the ELT, it was exactly what they wanted to hear, clear, strategic, and actionable. They immediately gave him the green light to move forward, empowering him to implement the MRI and drive change across the organisation. What impressed me most was how he leveraged the MRI to elevate the conversation, moving the organisation from operational discussions to focused, strategic priorities.
Using the MRI as a Strategic Lever
As Johannes explained, the MRI allowed him to speak strategically rather than tactically, giving voice to leadership in a way that inspired collaboration and action. He didn’t treat it as a survey, he used it as a strategic lever to strengthen customer-centricity and organisational alignment.
The insights revealed blind spots previously unseen or unaddressed and created clarity on where change was needed, what to prioritise, and how to move forward confidently.
Engaging the Organisation
Rather than prescribing solutions, Johannes invited participation. He presented the findings transparently and asked one powerful question: What matters most?
The response was remarkable. He mobilised a Customer Champions team of 34 volunteers across 14 departments, a clear signal of engagement and shared ownership. Instead of defending the status quo, both management and employees leaned into improvement.
Strengthening Executive Collaboration
The process also deepened Johannes’ connection with the ELT. By presenting MRI insights objectively and facilitating a structured vote on 2026’s key focus disciplines — customer foresight, customer insight, collaboration, strategic alignment, and empowerment — he transformed insight into shared executive ownership. Discussion turned into commitment.
Today, structured 90-day plans and cross-functional alignment initiatives are underway, translating culture into execution.
About Rosen Group
For context, Rosen Group is a global engineering and technology company specialising in inspection, integrity management, and maintenance of critical industrial assets. In complex, high-risk industries, clarity and alignment aren’t optional, they’re essential.
What started in USA/Mexico (700 employees with approx 80% completing the assessment) is now positioned to scale globally, proof that influence isn’t defined by title, but by clarity, courage, and action.
Conclusion: Leadership in Action
Johannes is a thoughtful, strategic leader who pairs clear direction with the ability to mobilise people across functions. It has been a privilege to support this continued journey and witness tangible change take shape.
Leadership isn’t always about the seat you hold at the table. Sometimes, it’s about having the courage to start the conversation.
I look forward to partnering with Johannes and Rosen Group for many years to come.
The Market Responsiveness Index (MRI) is a strategic diagnostic tool that uncovers organisational blind spots, aligns teams, and turns insight into actionable, customer-focused change. Test with a small team and see for yourself. Click here
