Just a few hours ago, news broke that Juergen Mueller, the CTO of the German Fortune 500 company SAP, was forced to resign due to a sexual harassment scandal. This story has shocked the world. Juergen Mueller wasn’t just any CTO—he was personally mentored by SAP founder Hasso Plattner and led the company in staying at the forefront of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology. However, this scandal has led many to question the glowing image he once had.

Juergen Mueller( SAP Former Chief Technology Officer)
My experience at SAP: Pitching 'BeHappy' project felt like playing music to a deaf audience
This scandal brought back memories of my own experience at SAP. A few years ago, my project, which had won the China Region Championship, was incubated at SAP Germany. I personally pitched this project to Juergen Mueller and other board members. At the time, our team was filled with confidence as we presented our innovative concept—combining love and artificial intelligence to help couples build happier marriages. Our project received high praise from SAP’s then-CEO, Bill McDermott, who was very impressed with our ideas. SAP executives from China, Canada, and Silicon Valley were also enthusiastic about it. I was convinced that we would secure funding in no time, and the entire team was brimming with optimism. Yet, the outcome was completely unexpected.

BeHappy pitched to SAP's former board members, with Juergen Mueller (on the right
Now that Juergen Mueller has been exposed for sexual harassment, I can't help but rethink what happened back then. Perhaps the reason our project wasn’t approved had nothing to do with its quality, but rather with the evaluator himself. Despite being a powerful figure in SAP’s technology space and a successful leader in his career, Juergen Mueller was someone who treated women as mere objects. There I was, discussing the importance of love in front of a man who would later be exposed as a serial workplace harasser. How could such a person possibly resonate with our project? It was like playing music to a deaf audience.

After pitching, all teams took group photo with Juergen Mueller
The Deceptive Charm of Toxic Executives: Seeing Through the Façade
Juergen Mueller wasn’t just SAP's CTO; he was handpicked and mentored by SAP founder Hasso Plattner, and he led the company to stay ahead in areas like AI and other advanced technologies. Yet, despite his seemingly perfect professional record, he was, in fact, a toxic executive. Reports indicate that he engaged in multiple incidents of sexual harassment, taking advantage of situations at company gatherings and using alcohol as an excuse to harass women.
It’s not the first episode to raise concerns about the culture at SAP. Current and former employees have previously complained about incidents of bullying and harassment that keeps female employees in particular out of executive positions, as well as heavy drinking at events that has led to problematic behavior.
This is a common trait of many toxic executives—they use their power and charm to send the wrong signals to female employees, making it seem like they’re interested in a romantic pursuit. These men often come across as charming, successful, and even single, which can mislead young female employees into thinking they’ve found their "dream boss" or even a potential "romantic hero." In reality, however, these men never take relationships seriously—they just see them as a game.

Hasso Plattner, chairman and the co-founder of SAP
Another Experience in SAP China: The Power of Saying “No”
I had a similar experience while working at SAP China. My VP at the time displayed similar behavior. While he had worked for IBM previously, he was known for using company gatherings as opportunities to harass female subordinates. He would insist on toasting with them, only to use that as a pretext for inappropriate physical contact, such as holding their hands or draping his arm around their shoulders. Given his senior position, many people felt powerless to object, and most chose to stay silent.
However, I was fortunate to have colleagues who had the courage to record his actions. These recordings were submitted to SAP’s headquarters. To the company’s credit, they did not cover up for this executive. Instead, they swiftly terminated him. This shows that even the most powerful executives will face consequences when their actions are exposed.
How to Protect Yourself from Toxic Executives?
Toxic executives may seem successful, with great status and influence, but their behavior will eventually come to light and be dealt with accordingly. Here are a few key steps to protect yourself, especially when dealing with high-ranking individuals:
Recognize their true behavior: Don’t be fooled by a charming or successful exterior. Just because someone is in a high-ranking position doesn’t mean they are trustworthy. Stay alert, and don’t misinterpret their actions as genuine interest.
Be brave and say “No”: Don’t let a person’s power or position intimidate you. If something makes you uncomfortable, no matter the setting, don’t hesitate to firmly reject their advances.
Collect evidence: If you experience inappropriate behavior, use your phone or other tools to record or take notes. This will protect you and provide concrete evidence for future action.
Report it promptly: Once you have gathered solid evidence, don’t delay. Report it immediately to your HR or legal department. Most reputable companies have channels for reporting sexual harassment, and you should never remain silent just because the perpetrator holds a high position.
Trust the system: Great companies will not sacrifice employee well-being just to protect a high-ranking executive’s performance. I admire SAP for their swift and decisive action in addressing these issues. Don’t be afraid to report; a person’s position should never shield them from the consequences of their actions.
Conclusion: Respect Yourself and Defend Your Rights
Juergen Mueller’s scandal exposed long-standing problems in the workplace. While people like him may find success in their careers, their behavior severely damages company culture and harms the well-being of employees. As women in the workplace, we must stand up for ourselves. Never let anyone’s power be used as a weapon to violate your rights.
Remember, when facing toxic executives, be courageous in defending yourself, refuse to remain silent, and always say “No.”
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