Modern Leadership with Humility: Business Leaders Lend a Hand at the Minorite Monastery

An unusual sight awaited visitors to the Basilica of St. James the Greater at the Minorite Monastery in Prague at the beginning of April. As part of the Social Impact Networking initiative, top executives and owners of leading companies gathered here to lend a hand with the spring maintenance of this important cultural landmark. Among the participants was Zdeněk Reibl, founder and CEO of RESPECT, who has long served as a proud ambassador of the monastery.

April is globally recognized as Earth Month—a time dedicated to responsibility toward our environment and sustainability. RESPECT chose to mark the beginning of this month with a meaningful action that connects the preservation of historical heritage with personal commitment.

“In insurance, we focus on protecting value every day. But our partnership with the Minorite Monastery means far more than formal support. It’s about respect for history, a willingness to get personally involved, and a commitment to preserving traditions for future generations,” said Zdeněk Reibl.

Throughout the morning, participants divided into teams and, under expert guidance, took care of cleaning altars, polishing historic pews, and tidying the presbytery. Challenging conditions, including temperatures of around 5°C, did not deter the leaders from their precise work, which helped prepare the space for the upcoming season and unique exhibitions, such as the Crown Jewels of the Luxembourg rulers.

The entire event was organized by Helena Kohoutová, who has long been connecting the business community with socially beneficial projects. The goal of the gathering was to demonstrate that modern leadership carries a strong element of humility and a genuine sense of social impact.

Through this activity, RESPECT reaffirms its long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility—focusing not only on social and environmental sustainability, but also on supporting local communities and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.