Throughout my career, I worked very hard to study the leaders I most admired. In my case, the process was as simple as looking around: whose professional accomplishments aligned with the goals I held for myself, or for my company? With names in mind, I invested the time and energy required to study what they did and how they did it. Maybe they engaged with their teammates or customers in a way I hadn’t considered before, or allocated their time differently. No matter the details, I have found that studying the winners is key to becoming a winner yourself.
Early in my career with Tractor Supply Company, I could not help but notice that Walmart was quickly becoming a giant of the retail industry. So, I did everything I could to learn about the company and its leadership. I read all the available materials about Walmart and soon became fascinated with Sam Walton, the company’s founder. I learned that he spent the vast majority of his time inside his stores, or visiting Walmart competitors’ stores. Sam Walton’s mission was to dive as deeply into the day-to-day functions of his stores as possible so he could provide the best leadership for his company. What a role model for me and anyone else in a retail leadership role!
My research extended to include industry peers. I remember learning of a small competitor based in the western U.S. that had a fabulous product assortment and ran its stores very effectively. I studied all I could about this company, even meeting with its founder and ultimately striking up a long friendship. Best of all, this sharing opportunity served a mutually beneficial purpose, as the other company was able to learn from our Tractor Supply team, too.
But, if you are an organizational leader in need of inspiration, never be afraid to look far outside of your specific industry. In Nashville, those of us who travel by air have become very familiar with Southwest Airlines. My own travel experience showed me that Southwest employees were always friendly, seemed to have a good time while on the job, and often displayed a great sense of humor. What a culture! I studied all I could about Southwest and its founder, Herb Kelleher. The culture he built was centered around love, humor and service – famously, their stock symbol is LUV. Here’s a favorite Herb quote of mine: “A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear”. What my team learned from Southwest contributed significantly to the culture still alive at Tractor Supply today.
You can start down this path by making a list of organizations that you admire, prioritizing those you suspect will have the most relevant lessons to teach you. Then, start the study process by reading all the written material you can find. If feasible, visit the organization’s stores or sites. If you are particularly ambitious, you can try contacting someone within the business. I suggest you shoot for the stars; I’ve found that most leaders are proud to show off their business, even if they must sacrifice some of their time in the process. Perhaps they’ll even learn something from you.
You can always learn from those you admire. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for personal and professional growth.
published Nashville Business Journal
