Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick Lead Through Discomfort: Philips CEO Roy Jakobs
Feb 10, 2026
Roy Jakobs, CEO of Philips and seasoned leader across Shell and Elsevier, blends empathy with rigorous decision making. He discusses formative family lessons, how personal health shaped his purpose, rapid digital change, tough restructurings, and rebuilding trust after a major product crisis. Short, candid stories reveal why discomfort and decisive action prepared him to steer complex transformations.
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Grandmothers Shaped A Bridge-Building Ethos
- Roy Jakobs recounts his grandmothers' wartime resilience and forgiveness, which shaped his respect for people and cultures.
- Their stories led him to believe companies must build bridges across societies to enable progress.
Childhood Illness Fueled His Healthcare Purpose
- Roy describes severe childhood asthma and frequent hospital visits that taught him resilience and the constraints disease imposes.
- That experience anchored his passion for healthcare and understanding of patient and family impact.
First Reorg Taught Hard Decisions With Empathy
- At Shell Roy led a startup and later a 40-year-old acquired company where he had to fire people and learned about the human side of reorganizations.
- A visceral firing reaction taught him to combine tough decisions with empathy and follow-up support.