Leadership Lessons from Gapuma’s Journey: 25 Years of Insight
By: Jack Bardakjian – Group Managing Director
April 2025
For over 25 years, Gapuma has navigated the complex and ever-evolving world of global trade, overcoming economic turbulence, market volatility, and geopolitical shifts. Through this journey, we have learned invaluable lessons about leadership, resilience, and the power of people. Our guiding principles—fairness, integrity, diversity, respect, investment, empowerment, and customer-centricity—have not only shaped our success but also serve as a blueprint for leading in an increasingly complex world.
From the boardroom to the warehouse, from Africa to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Gapuma’s leadership philosophy has been defined by a commitment to doing business the right way—one that fosters trust, builds long-term relationships, and ensures sustainable growth. At the heart of our approach is a relentless drive to go Above & Beyond—to exceed expectations, push boundaries, and deliver excellence at every level of our operations.
Fairness: The Foundation of Lasting Partnerships
Business is ultimately about people, and fair treatment forms the bedrock of strong relationships. At Gapuma, fairness extends beyond contracts and negotiations—it’s embedded in how we deal with suppliers, customers, and employees. Our workforce is our global family, and by respecting colleagues, empowering them to make decisions, and crediting their contributions, we create a culture of trust and collaboration.
Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history, has often emphasised the importance of fairness in business dealings. His philosophy of ‘treating your counterpart in a transaction as you would want to be treated’ aligns perfectly with Gapuma’s approach.
Whether securing supply chain agreements or negotiating pricing structures, fairness builds trust, which in turn fosters long-term partnerships.
Integrity and Commitment: Non-Negotiable Values
One of the most enduring lessons we have learned is that integrity is non-negotiable. Businesses that compromise on ethics for short-term gain often face long-term consequences. At Gapuma, our leadership team has always prioritised honesty and transparency, ensuring that commitments are met and promises are kept.
Microsoft’s Satya Nadella says, “Success is not about being right. It’s about being learning-ready.” This underscores the essence of adaptability with integrity. When stakeholders know they can rely on you, opportunities multiply. Gapuma’s ability to operate across multiple markets and industries is a testament to our unwavering commitment to doing the right thing—even when no one is watching.
Diversity: A Strategic Advantage
Diversity isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a business advantage. In a world where customers, cultures, and expectations vary widely, having a team that reflects this diversity is critical. Gapuma’s global footprint means working with businesses from different cultural backgrounds, and our ability to understand and respect those differences has been instrumental in our success.
PepsiCo’s former CEO, Indra Nooyi, championed the idea that diverse teams make better decisions. She built a multinational powerhouse by encouraging different perspectives and experiences within her leadership team. At Gapuma, we embrace a similar approach—harnessing the strength of our diverse workforce to better understand our customers and anticipate their needs.
Respect and Support: Building a Global Family
Respect within an organisation fosters a culture of loyalty and excellence. At Gapuma, we see our employees not just as colleagues, but as members of a global family. Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about uplifting others, offering guidance, and ensuring that everyone has the support they need to succeed.
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, once stated, “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.” This philosophy is embedded in Gapuma’s DNA. We have always believed that when employees feel valued and supported, they go the extra mile, not because they have to, but because they want to. This culture of care and encouragement is what enables us to go Above & Beyond in delivering value to our customers and stakeholders.
Investing During Market Downturns: A Lesson in Courage
Economic and political volatilities are opportunities for those who are prepared to go against the grain. Business is cyclical, governments change, and risk profiles are constantly evolving. Investing in a project today requires foresight into what it will look like tomorrow. While many shy away in challenging environments, taking educated risks is a way to gain market share.
John D. Rockefeller, one of history’s most influential business magnates, built Standard Oil during periods of market instability. His strategy was simple—invest when others hesitate. Similarly, Gapuma has maintained a long-term vision, expanding operations, strengthening supplier networks, and deepening customer relationships even when markets fluctuate.
Gapuma has maintained a long-term vision, expanding operations, strengthening supplier networks, and deepening customer relationships even when markets fluctuate.
Empowering the Team: Giving Credit Where It’s Due
Great leaders don’t just make decisions; they empower others to do so. A company’s strength lies in its people, and Gapuma’s leadership has always placed immense trust in its team. Delegating authority not only fosters accountability but also allows innovation to thrive.
Apple’s late co-founder, Steve Jobs, understood the power of empowerment. He famously said, “It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do.”
At Gapuma, we encourage employees at all levels to take initiative, think critically, and contribute meaningfully. Leadership isn’t about hoarding credit—it’s about recognising those who drive success. By creating an environment where individuals are trusted to excel, we continue to go Above & Beyond in delivering results.
Customer-Centricity: The Reason We Exist
No business can survive without its customers, and at Gapuma, this truth is ingrained in everything we do. Being available, responding promptly, and exceeding expectations aren’t just best practices—they are the pillars of our customer relationships.
Howard Schultz, the architect of Starbucks’ global dominance, built his empire on an unwavering focus on customer experience. He believed that businesses thrive when they truly listen to their customers. At Gapuma, our customers know that they can count on us—not just for high-quality products, but for a partnership built on responsiveness, reliability, and trust. Going Above & Beyond in serving our customers is not just a goal—it’s our way of doing business.
Always Expect the Unexpected
Perhaps the most valuable lesson we’ve learned over the last 25 years is to anticipate the unexpected. Markets shift, regulations evolve, and disruptions occur. True leadership lies in agility—the ability to pivot when needed, embrace uncertainty, and turn challenges into opportunities.
Gapuma has weathered economic recessions, supply chain disruptions, and global crises, emerging stronger each time. Our success isn’t just about planning—it’s about adapting, learning, and staying ahead of the curve. And through it all, our unwavering commitment to going Above & Beyond has been the key to our resilience.
Conclusion: Leadership as a Journey, Not a Destination
Leadership isn’t about reaching a peak—it’s about continuous learning, adaptation, and resilience. At Gapuma, we take pride in the journey we have undertaken and the lessons we have learned. By remaining fair, acting with integrity, embracing diversity, respecting our colleagues, investing wisely, empowering our team, prioritising our customers, and staying agile, we have built a company that stands the test of time.
As we look to the future, these principles will continue to guide us, ensuring that Gapuma remains a global leader—not just in business, but in the way we lead, inspire, and grow. And as we strive for even greater success, we remain committed to our ethos—to always go Above & Beyond.