Peter Drucker once said the one thing effective leaders have in common is that “they get the right things done, in the right way.”
But what does that mean in 2022? How can one do that over an entire career and at different companies? How can we make sure that the leadership principles we follow work for us as well as for those we lead?
Those are some of the questions Don Frieson addresses in his recent BeEpic podcast. Frieson currently serves as the Executive Vice President, Supply Chain at Lowe’s and has held a variety of executive positions at Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Massmart. He has also mentored more than 35 emerging leaders over his career, 10 of whom went on to senior positions during his tenure at Walmart alone.
If you want to improve your leadership skills, develop your staff, or improve your mentorship skills, then pay attention to “Don’s 10 Rules for Leadership Success.”
- Be genuine. People know the difference.
- Hold associates accountable. They will appreciate it.
- Hire people who are better than you – it makes us better.
- Give others the credit. Yours will come.
- Trust is a two-way street. It starts with you.
- Treat everyone well. Every role is important to you.
- Find the small wins. They add up.
- Stretch yourself. Stretch your team.
- Set the tone. Be the example.
- Have fun!
All on a foundation of respect, service, excellence, and integrity
These ten rules run the gamut – from building relationships, managing staff, and creating a culture that challenges and engages employees – and have been the keys to Frieson’s success and to the success of the various leaders he has developed.
A Challenge: Calling All Leaders
We don’t often give homework on Walton Insights – partly because it’s not what we do, partly because we’re afraid you’d quit reading – so let’s just call this a challenge we’re issuing to our readers.
What rules for leadership success have you developed in your career? Or, if you’re just starting out in your career, what rules do you want to live and lead by?
Taking the time to follow Frieson’s example and compose your own list will go a long way to ensuring you’re not just a prisoner of events or consequences but can instead act with purpose and poise.
Send me your list – we’ll run a follow-up story with our readers’ lists in the coming months.
Post Author:
Ryan Sheets serves as the Director of the Business Communication Lab at the University of Arkansas'
Sam M. Walton College of Business and is the Editor-in-Chief of Walton Insights. He also teaches business communication classes to undergraduate and graduate students
at the Walton College.
He previously served as the Assistant Director of the Judith R. Frank Business Communication Center at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business. He worked in the oil and gas industry and insurance industries prior to returning to graduate school.
He received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
