Leadership On and Off the Pitch
A Conversation with Markus Mahler

A personal recap by Blazy Flash

Some conversations leave a lasting impression. Not because they’re loud, but because they have substance. My Flash Talk with Markus Mahler, Chairman of the Board at FC Aarau, was one of those moments. We met directly at Brügglifeld, the club’s legendary stadium, and talked about far more than football. The topics ranged from responsibility and transformation to sustainability and leadership at the intersection of emotion and economics.

A President with Roots and Vision
Markus Mahler is not just a board member, he’s been a lifelong fan since childhood. His connection to the club is deeply emotional, which makes him one of the most credible leaders I’ve ever encountered. As Chairman, he supports CEO Sandro Burki and the management team at a strategic level, combining rare entrepreneurial precision with genuine passion.

Leadership Insight #1: Emotions should be managed, not avoided
What stuck with me the most: in both football and business, emotion is a constant companion. Markus summed it up perfectly: in business, decisions are made quarterly; in football, it’s every 90 minutes. The real challenge? Not being crushed by emotions, but consciously integrating them. That only works if you know everyone involved. Not just their performance, but their stories too.

Leadership Insight #2: Sustainability is not marketing, it’s a mindset
Whether at Freitag Labs, Mobility, or Dilly Socks: sustainability runs like a common thread through all of Markus’ ventures. Growing up on an organic farm, with a father who was a pioneer in the field, clearly shaped his values. For Markus, sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s a responsibility. This shows in football as well: from wooden cups in the stadium to mindful strategic planning, FC Aarau is questioning and improving many practices.

Leadership Insight #3: Growth demands courage, consolidation requires maturity
Particularly fascinating was his perspective on his time at Brack.ch, where he led the company through a fourfold increase in revenue. Perhaps the most important line of the entire conversation: “The consolidation phase is more difficult than growth.” Why? Because it means streamlining processes, redistributing responsibilities, building a solid foundation and, unfortunately, letting people go. All without losing momentum.

Leadership Insight #4: Resilience can be trained
Markus spoke openly about moments of overwhelm, times when multiple businesses faced challenges simultaneously. What helps him stay grounded? Sports, retreat, and conscious time-outs, without family or business, allowing for a full reset. It’s a leadership style that doesn’t rely on invincibility, but on self-awareness.

Leadership Insight #5: Advancing is not a goal, it’s a consequence
The most powerful statement came at the end: “If you do the best possible work, promotion is a logical consequence.” This long-term, focused, and strategic approach is remarkable in the often short-term world of sports. And it shows: leadership isn’t about shouting goals from the rooftops, but quietly creating the conditions for them to become reality.

This interview was a journey through many worlds: sports, business, sustainability, entrepreneurship. And yet, it all felt seamlessly connected. Markus Mahler practices leadership in a calm, thoughtful, and highly effective way. A powerful reminder that true leadership often happens where no one is watching.

– Blazy Flash
Moderator, Business Development Expert, Ambassador of Transformational Leadership