You should lead like Roz Brewer
I love hearing stories of leaders who go the extra step (or mile) to learn what it’s like for the people they lead. For example, Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
In her previous roles, Brewer did everything from working the drive-thru window at Starbucks when she was the COO and Group President, to driving trucks at night for Walmart, and moving to Bentonville for a 90-day “learning journey” when she became the President of Walmart East.
Brewer, a woman of color, is currently the leader of another Fortune-500 company, Walgreens Boots Alliance. In a recent interview, she explained that it can be a lonely position. She added that things are changing in diversity and inclusion. She educates people around her by being frank and open. She considers seeing more people of color and women in leadership roles of Fortune-500 companies as her ‘second reason for being’.
After George Floyd, she realized people didn’t understand the issues of race in the US. She considered how Starbucks was teaching and training its people. She shed the light on going beyond diversity, to be sure the focus is also on equity and inclusion. Brewer asked questions about education, access to healthcare, and livable wages.
She also emphasizes the importance of diversity of thought. How do your people think about others? Departments are often siloed. She says she is putting together agile teams in her role at Walgreens Boots Alliance. It’s all about addressing the problems and creating the right tools for customers and employees.
“You can have the best strategy in the world, but if your team operates in an environment where they are all in a siloed environment, you are not going to get the results you expect.”
Put away your phones
Brewer says leaders need to always put their phones away when entering the workplace. She urges them to be present and listen, “The next level of leadership is about becoming great listeners, acting on the information, and making your people feel included.” This is exactly what is at the heart of our Nice Method.
When you put your people together, they are in the same room and combine their smarts to solve the biggest problems from their diverse experiences and knowledge. Race and gender play a big role in this thinking.
Isolation never works
Culture drives corporate results. One of the biggest challenges is a distributed workforce working remotely. If the employees are completely remote they become too detached from the company. Loneliness, anxiety, and depression are also caused in part by working alone. There is very little substitute for human connection. She has seen time and time again that isolation never works. Create hubs across the country where your team members can come together a couple of times a week.
Brewer manages 400,000 employees worldwide. Walgreens has 9,000 locations across the US. They have adjusted their bonus structure and minimum wage to help their staff. They are introducing new policies and steps to help team members love their jobs.
Leaders must focus on creating the best places to work. This is a great time for many companies to look at themselves and ask why employees don’t love their jobs.
As a leader, you should do a personal inventory. Determine what your passions are and where you want to be. Be willing to say no to promotions that don’t align with your personal goals. Take a step back to get ahead, that’s how a leader leads. Wouldn’t you agree?