Clarity drives performance
"By saying what I do and doing what I say — that’s how trust is built."
Monika Poussard
General Plant Director, Stellantis Slovakia
On clarity. On focus. On consistency.
Precision keeps direction clear
As General Plant Director at Stellantis Slovakia, Monika Poussard leads one of the largest automotive operations in the region, with more than 4,000 people depending on clear direction every day. Her leadership is built on precision, consistency and presence. Say what you mean. Do what you say. Keep the direction clear.
In this Leaders Talk, Monika shares how clarity builds trust, and how adaptability helps organizations move forward.
For Monika, leadership isn’t about control. It’s about direction, integrity — and the courage to stay true, even when the path gets foggy.
On trust. On discipline. On leadership.
Clear direction keeps people moving together
In a large plant environment, direction has to be clear enough for people to trust it — and human enough for them to follow it.
Q1: How do you earn respect where performance matters more than titles?
By saying what I do and doing what I say. This is how you build trust, confidence, and respect. If on top you include heart — you must succeed.
Q2: What keeps your focus when 4,000+ people depend on your decisions?
A clear vision of where I want us to be. The path to get there might be bumpy, curvy, and foggy. So it takes flexibility and listening to others — to keep your compass tight.
Monika Poussard in conversation with Peter Nemčok — Leaders Talk 2025.
On clarity. On change. On resilience.
Clarity and calm keep the line steady under pressure
When standards, pressure and people meet every day, leadership depends on consistency — not intensity.
Q3: How do you turn standards into pride, not pressure?
Standards should never feel like a burden. They are the materialisation of our growing experience — and something to be proud of. They must not be rigid; as our experience develops, so do our standards.
Q4: What did being the only woman at the top teach you about strength?
Being the only woman at the top taught me to trust my ability, always have a plan, and speak with data. Strength means keeping vision alive, learning from every mistake, and leading with passion. Success is not about proving others wrong — it’s about proving to yourself that you belong.
Monika Poussard on clarity, resilience and trust in leadership — Leaders Talk 2025.
On growth. On clarity. On legacy.
Leadership lasts when others can grow
Sustainable performance depends on people who understand the standard, carry the responsibility and continue growing beyond one leader.
Q5: You’ve led across industries. What never changes in how people need to be led?
A leader must always be demanding to reach ambitious targets. The key is to always do it with trust, respect, and care.
Q6: What would you tell a young engineer who dreams of leading a plant one day?
Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Learn and practise as much as you can. Cooperate with various people and cultures. And as my motto says — Never give up.
At Menity, we often see the same pattern in senior leadership work: performance holds better when people trust the direction, understand the standard and see consistency from the leader.
Monika Poussard
General Plant Director, Stellantis Slovakia
Monika brings three decades of leadership experience across industries and markets. Her work focuses on clarity, consistency and people leadership in one of Central Europe’s largest automotive plants.
Menity Leaders Talk — November 2025
Interview by Peter Nemcok · Photography © Menity