Judith McKenna is president and CEO of Walmart International where she leads 550,000 associates across 23 countries.
Having joined Tetley pub company from a law firm, they decided to move offices down south, she suddenly found herself without a job, and a nine month old baby. One day she got a call from the retailer based over the road - Asda - and started her career in retail.
She was promoted to the board while eight and a half months pregnant with her second child, a really forward looking move by the company who placed their faith in her and her ability. At the time it didn't cross her mind just how momentous that was.
That step up took her a while to find her feet, from always having someone ahead of you, to having the dust ball moment - when you realise the responsibility rests on your shoulders.
Allan Leighton taught her the power of connectivity with people - he took the time every Monday at 6.15am to sit down with the accountants and ask them - what do I need to know? He didn't have to do that, he could have waited for the report to land on his desk and ask someone way more capable than they were.
Someone once told her you need to be more commercial - you have to look beyond the numbers. Trust your gut, what do you really think. She attributes that insight to Tony De Nunzio - a finance director who went on to become a CEO himself.
Judith believes being yourself is the most important thing you can do - it comes with age and experience, you can make a difference by being who you are, not being scared to share your own challenges as well as the capabilities you have.
The there are TNTs - which stands for tiny noticeable things - the note someone sends you saying well done, or simply asking about you mum who isn't feeling well, or I saw this article that I thought you'd be interested in. Those little moments she is passionate about doing, and she does them not just because they are a nice thing to do for the other person, it is one of the places she gets her energy from, seeing the difference you can make.
The shining light for her is helping people do what they do better. It is where she gets her kicks in business and life.
She'll always tell you what she thinks, but she'll be fair and balanced. But none of this stuff you do on your own - you do it through your personality but you have people around you who you trust.
She thinks everyone should give feedback to others - 360 feedbacks loops - above, across and below - by doing so you can help make leaders better leaders by pointing things out to people - good, bad and ugly. It requires courage, but courage is one of those business skills that is critical.
Wellness has become a central pillar over the last 18 months, finding things that give you energy is key. She runs an "It's OK!" campaign with her team - Zoom free days, or go walk your dog if you need to - creating a framework for people to operate within that suits them and their families.
Judith is an inspirational leader of the highest order. Tune in to hear more of what she had to say.
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