#300 Breakfast with Rob van Geffen – Leadership, Legacy and Letting Go

Prav returns to host this deeply personal conversation with Rob van Geffen, Chief Marketing Officer at Straumann, who shares his extraordinary journey from a carefree childhood in the Netherlands to leading one of dentistry's most influential organisations.

In this deeply personal conversation, Rob explores how energy shapes every interaction, why vulnerability became his greatest leadership strength, and how a men's group 19 years ago transformed his approach to fatherhood and business. 

He reveals the challenges of letting go, both as a parent and leader whilst maintaining the authentic connections that drive Straumann's family culture. This isn't just a story about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about discovering that true leadership starts with understanding yourself.

In This Episode

00:00:05 - Children as mirrors of our bright and dark sides

 00:06:10 - Father's death and the gift of presence

 00:09:00 - Father Fire: men's emotional development

 00:13:45 - Everything is energy philosophy

 00:19:10 - Leading through energy and memorable experiences

 00:26:25 - Vulnerability as leadership strength

 00:28:15 - Letting go of sons

 00:38:10 - Career journey from trenches to boardroom

 00:55:05 - Blackbox thinking

 01:01:35 - Joining the Straumann family

 01:28:20 - Culture as competitive advantage

 01:33:40 - Play learner philosophy

 01:35:40 - Physical fitness and morning routines

 01:44:00 - Last days and legacy

 01:51:45 - Fantasy dinner party

About Robert van Geffen

Robert van Geffen is the Chief Marketing Officer at Straumann, where he leads a global marketing and commercial excellence team of more than 100 people. Together, they animate the heartbeat of the customer journey and create smiles and confidence for millions of customers worldwide.

A proud father of three sons, Rob combines sharp business acumen with a deep belief in emotional and energetic intelligence. His leadership is rooted in authenticity and guided by heart-led values that bring out the best in people and performance alike.