Leadership Podcast Episode: Xenia Barth, CEO of Merz Lifecare

Leadership is never finished. The real question is: who are you as a senior leader?

In this episode of our Talent & Leadership x Sectors podcast series, Caroline Gellrich van Brakel, Managing Partner for Page Executive Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and Nathalie Rilling, Partner at Page Executive Germany, speak with Xenia Barth, CEO of Merz Lifecare.

Together, they explore Xenia’s leadership journey, the key moments that have shaped her perspective, and how she approaches leadership in times of transformation and uncertainty.

This conversation is part of our broader dialogue with senior leaders across sectors, reinforcing our commitment to supporting executives as they navigate complexity, change, and growth.

Find out more about our guest:

Xenia Barth
CEO Merz Lifecare

Navigating senior leadership in a changing environment

Leadership at the most senior levels is rarely linear. In this candid discussion, Xenia shares her experience leading through transformation, from making decisions without complete clarity to ensuring alignment and confidence across teams.

Her reflections highlight a central truth: senior leadership is not about having all the answers, but about guiding others forward while continuously learning yourself.

A practical and human approach to senior leadership

Throughout the episode, Xenia offers an honest and grounded perspective on leadership today. She speaks openly about:

The importance of developing a strong leadership identity
Why self-awareness and authenticity matter more than perfection
The balance between driving performance and bringing people along the journey

She also shares a concise and practical piece of advice for emerging senior leaders, a short reflection on how to build a leadership style that is both effective and true to who you are.

Key insights from the episode

Leadership is a continuous journey: Senior leadership requires ongoing evolution, learning, reflecting, and adapting to new realities.
Perspective is a leadership advantage: Great senior leaders actively seek diverse viewpoints, especially when the path forward is not yet clear.
Leading through uncertainty is essential: Transformation requires making decisions while still learning, while creating clarity, momentum, and confidence for others.
Authenticity over perfection: A strong sense of self, openness, and authenticity are critical, particularly for the next generation of leaders.

Shaping the future of leadership

This episode offers a thoughtful and inspiring perspective for leaders who are not only interested in understanding leadership, but in actively shaping it.

Whether you are navigating transformation, building your executive identity, or leading teams through uncertainty, this conversation provides practical insights grounded in real world experience.

Subscribe and listen to the full episode (in German): https://page-executive-podcast.podigee.io/5-fuehrung-ist-nie-fertig-die-frage-ist-wer-bist-du-als-fuehrungskraft