Klaus Tschütscher
The Executive Chairman of Switzerland’s Grand Resort Bad Ragaz – and former prime minister of Principality of Liechtenstein – talks to us about authenticity, the importance of a good team, and why people with privilege need to give back.
Klaus Tschütscher is Executive Chairman of the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, a luxury resort combining five-star facilities and holistic medical treatment in a stunning alpine setting – a setting that has been inspiring him for decades. “I knew this area as a child, and I always knew it was for me,” he says. “When you come here, it’s another world. Time moves differently. It’s very special.” And over the years, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz has become a special place for generations of families, holidaying together, making memories and recharging. Klaus explains. “Each of these generations needs their own space – so we have a kids’ spa, for example, but there are also calming areas for the adults. We get a lot of compliments for this strategy!” The most important thing for his daily job is: “Our guests are our motivation, we strive for excellence - in all areas, today and tomorrow.”
Klaus has had a formidable career. Starting out as a Doctor of Law, he went on to become Head of Legal Services and Deputy Director of Tax Administration in the Principality of Liechtenstein, and notably, became a member of the Liechtenstein OECD delegation and Governor of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London for four years.
In 2005, he began what became an impressive and impactful political career, first as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Justice and Economic Affairs, and then as Prime Minister and Finance Minister of the Principality of Liechtenstein, a role he held from 2009 to 2013. He was keen to make this time in politics count. “For me, it was clear that I would do the job for eight to 10 years,” he says. “You have your time – and I believe you should change something during this time.”
STRONG TEAM
Always a team player, Klaus believes that the key to success – whether in hospitality or politics – is to remember that you are only as good as the people around you. “I remember my first press conference as Prime Minister. I learned straight away that if you go in believing you are an expert in everything, then you are wrong,” he says. “I knew that it was having the best employees, the best workers around me, that would give me power, make me strong. I saw it as my responsibility to bring people together to generate the very best ideas.”
The value Klaus places on a strong team is still apparent in his current position as Executive Chairman at the Grand Resort. “Our employees are our most valuable asset. Then, the guests. We will not have guests unless we are in a strong position with our staff.”
“Success is not simply about walking through a door once, it is about continually taking small steps. While taking those steps, I am guided by values and facts, even in supposedly stormy times. And success count even more if they were achieved as a team.”
He believes leaders play a vitally important role in the success – and job satisfaction – of their employees. “Making my employees feel special, that this is a special place to work, is my duty, as management, as a member of the board,” he says. “You have to do everything you can for your team because if you do your best for them, they will do their best for you. Every person is important in this company.”
Klaus recognises his responsibility as a leader, however. “If politics taught me anything, it is that communication is key – when you’re in the middle of a storm, you need to make decisions,” he says. He also learned that you can’t be afraid to speak up when necessary. “You can’t keep quiet because you fear people’s reactions – if you live like that, you are not free or authentic. And as a leader, both freedom and authenticity are crucial.”
Being in a high-profile position in difficult times has, he says, ultimately been good for him. “During one particularly tough time as Prime Minister, I sat in a room with more than 25 journalists from a German national weekly newspaper and that was challenging,” he says. “But I think that experience was good for me. Putting yourself in a position like that helps you to strengthen your attitude and your values.”
GOOD PORTFOLIO
After finishing his term as Prime Minister, Klaus adopted a portfolio career and is still heavily involved in multiple high-profile projects. Joining the Bad Ragaz board in 2014, he became Executive Chairman in May 2022, and also serves as Vice President and delegate at UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Since January 2014 he has been owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tschütscher Networks & Expertise AG and has been a board member at Swiss Life Holding Ltd since 2013.
He is incredibly proud of his work with UNICEF. “It was my idea to bring the two sovereign countries of Switzerland and Liechtenstein together, both to strengthen our power and to raise our profile,” he says. “And through UNICEF we are in a good position to provide help and support – particularly important when you consider the war between Ukraine and Russia.”
He also supports various start-up businesses. “I am currently an advisor for two startups: one is in telemedicine and the other is in premium nuts – like many online companies, both performed really well during the COVID crisis,” he says. Klaus sees this as another opportunity to make a difference. “It’s a chance to guide young people earlier on in their careers – though you need to make sure you are open-minded!”
GIVING BACK
He considers each of his many roles to have been a ‘privilege’. “As a young man, I got the chance to be Prime Minister, and I regarded that as an opportunity to give something back for free,” he says. “It’s not only the best engagement you can do in that role, but it also helps you remember what’s really important – and ensures that those of us in very privileged positions keep our feet on the ground.”
Whichever role he is in, integrity remains at the heart of everything Klaus does. “You have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and ask yourself, “Was that right? Would I do that again? Was the way I handled things true to my values?”
Another quality that has served Klaus well and makes for a universal leadership message is being authentic, even if is risky. “As a leader people have expectations and you are there to lead situations on every level. So it’s not good to keep your mouth closed because you fear some reactions. If you do that you are not free, and I think that’s important. Presenting your true self is always the answer.”