Brett Barcelona, President and General Manager Retail Services
Leadership in the Moment
Every associate at our company has the potential to be a great leader. Great leaders are not defined by the number of people they manage nor their title. Leadership is determined by the actions we take and the results we achieve. Every day that we interact with our customer and supplier partners, we have an opportunity to exhibit the kind of leadership that will help accelerate our future success.
When others have asked me what can they do to improve their leadership skills, I share with them that it’s the choices you make every day that will define you. For me, there are a few simple yet key rules that I live by and encourage others to do the same:
- Treat people how you would like to be treated if the roles were reversed.
- Seize the opportunity to demonstrate accountability.
- Establish the highest standard possible.
- Empower others to operate at the highest level possible.
- Do what you say you will do.
- Demonstrate fairness to the people you serve.
- Practice open and honest communication—and feedback.
- Don’t underestimate the power of saying thank you.
In our business you have to live your work life on a parallel path, executing in the moment, while planning for the future. This year is already half over, and we need to keep our focus on finishing strong. Don’t let your guard down. Make sure you are leading the way by planning for fall and end-of-year events now, and not when it’s too late.
If your business is trending ahead, encourage your team not to become complacent. If your business is on budget, what actions are you taking to ensure a successful year? If your business is behind, have you taken the necessary steps to implement actions to achieve your goals?
As leaders, we are all accountable to do our part in helping our company achieve our Key Results. If each of us as leaders possesses a strong mindset and a definitive will to win, we will certainly achieve our Key Results.
As the late Chuck Noll, former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers said, “If you want to win, do the ordinary things better than anyone else does them day in and day out.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we are the best in the industry because of leaders like you.
Thank you for all that you do.
All my best,
Brett Barcelona
President and General Manager Retail Services