5 Leadership Lessons

from the President of a Global Billion dollar Retail Company

The Story

I was lucky to meet the president of a global retail company and chat with him about his journey and perspective on leadership.

He asked to remain nameless, unfortunately, but to give you more perspective, this leader has a career of over 20 years as a store manager, VP of retail, and finally as a president of retail.

1. High self-awareness

Leaders understand the impact of their actions on themselves and their teams, and they reflect a lot to improve and optimize their efforts to have better results

A study conducted by Green Peak Partners found that companies with strong, self-aware leaders demonstrated 186% higher returns on investment (ROI).

This statistic is a powerful testament to the impact of self-awareness on business success. It shows that companies with leaders who are conscious of their own strengths and weaknesses are more likely to achieve higher returns on investment. This is an invaluable insight for any business looking to maximize their profits and should be taken into consideration when developing strategies for success.

2. They stand their ground

Good leaders are not a yes-man; they won't agree on a decision or a direction just to fit in or to please their superiors. They will stand their ground and speak up on what they believe is the right decision

3. They put the company's interest first

It is not about them or the political game; they always prioritize what is in the best interest of the company and act accordingly; while this point might seem easy, it is the hardest point to implement as it requires transparency.

4. They explain why

While sometimes operating in a business environment is challenging and we as leaders have to make tough decisions, it is essential to take the time and effort to explain why we are doing what we are doing to the rest of the team. This point is not about pleasing people but about ensuring that everyone is on the same page and maintaining high team morale.

5. They are resilient

They are a challenging reality, changing the status quo; they stick around, their skin is thick, they have high expectations for themselves and their teams, and when they feel down, they focus solely on how to have

marginally improve vs. yesterday, and those small wins will compound overtime

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A Book to Improve Your Leadership:

Start With Why - Simon Sinek

From Apple to Martin Luther King Jr., Sinek uses compelling examples to emphasize why certain companies and leaders manage to inspire and retain loyalty. If you've ever wondered what sets apart great companies and leaders from the rest, 'Start With Why' is a must-read. Dive into concepts like the Golden Circle the importance of clarity and consistency, and discover the secret sauce of inspirational leadership. Perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to find their 'why’.

I have read this book multiple times, and I really like how it abroaches the importance of understanding why first before what or how.

What books would you recommend for improving leadership?

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