VP, Sales Global Go To Market Innovation; Procter & Gamble
Q. How important is it for a leader to have experienced a season of volunteerism?
A. I believe the best leaders have been volunteering most of their lives. I think it starts at an early age; when you first begin leading in school and your community. In college, you are given the opportunity to lead even larger volunteer organizations, which carries you into adulthood. I believe this long history of leading volunteer organizations prepares you for leadership opportunities in your career. It also makes you a more well-rounded leader in the community you serve and at your company.
Q. Do you think volunteerism is a critical element in all leadership roles?
A. Yes, it really is. The leadership responsibility that you have in your company coupled with the skills you develop over the years enable you to be an even better volunteer. As a leader, passing those skills along to a nonprofit organization is a responsibility, especially when you know you can make a difference.
Q. When you were an upcoming leader, who is someone you observed in a volunteer position or a leadership role?
A. For me, it started when I was young, watching my parents volunteer at my school and in our community. I experienced how they transformed organizations while effectively engaging and inspiring the volunteers. I always knew I would want to follow in my parents footsteps, remembering the impact they had on so many people and organizations. It’s a legacy that touches my heart. I have also been blessed to be surrounded by so many extraordinary leaders at P&G, who I have learned from throughout my career. I have always valued and been inspired by those leaders who delivered the business and made a difference in their community.
Q. The role of leaders in the community is significant. How do you manage your time between working/leading and providing a role model for community work?
A. The key for managing my capacity is being choiceful where I dedicate my time and then striving for the leadership roles within the volunteer organization. What I have found, by being one of those key leaders, the meetings and events typically start with the availability of the leadership. I have found that very helpful managing my capacity with work and volunteering.
Q. Describe the role you see yourself in in 10 years.
A. In 10 years, I see myself being even more selective where I volunteer my time. I will continue to focus on areas of passion where I know I can make a difference and leave a legacy.
Q. How do you use your leadership talent to encourage and groom others?
A. I have always invested a lot of time with the people that I work with. I think it is important to always take the time to give feedback on what they did really well in addition to the areas where they can improve their skills. This does takes extra time and capacity, but I do that because I care as it is so very rewarding to see people grow.
Q. How do you monitor the performance of the people that you have to lead?
A. At P&G, we identify our top five priorities for the year with key measures. On a quarterly basis, we formally review our progress versus those expectations. For the volunteer organizations I lead, we follow a similar process, setting clear objectives for the year and checking progress along the way. This enables everyone to have clarity on those expectations and deliverables.
Q. Leadership roles lose significance unless they are able to impact those who come behind us. How are you making a lasting impact for future generations?
A. The responsibility we have as leaders is to coach and develop our people to ensure they are constantly learning and growing so when we move on, they are in a position to take on additional responsibility. This is accomplished though intentional career pathing, ensuring they are given roles that stretch their skills, allowing them to lead organizations, and giving them projects along the way to expose them to leadership. Lastly, it is important to ‘turn and pull’ individuals that are behind you, giving them the opportunities to grow in new and different ways. That is what a true leader always does.
Q. What methods can influence the importance of a leadership role beyond the current day-to-day work?
A. In an environment where the rate of change is so significant, it is important for leaders to constantly learn and have the ability to pivot and adjust as new information comes in. I also believe, as a leader, your responsibility is to set the vision and the key strategies so the organization always knows where they are headed, even while working in the day-to-day.
Q. Describe your leadership style.
A. First, I truly embrace having a diverse organization; data has proven that a diverse organization will outperform a homogeneous organization. That diversity creates the foundation for the culture I try to create by valuing independent points of view, having a growth mind-set, being in touch with a bias for action and no fear of failure. I try to create an environment where people see no limits and feel like they can soar. I believe this type of leadership approach inspires people to be their best self.
Q. What challenges are you facing?
A. The consumer product goods marketplace is changing at a rapid pace, driven by the expectations of our consumers. The use of technology is also fueling the pace of change. We need to make our brands available whenever, wherever and however they want them. The challenge is ensuring that we are making the right choices to disrupt ourselves to stay ahead and knowing when to let go and pivot.
Q. What’s the most fulfilling part about what you do?
A. The most fulfilling part of my job is making a difference in the business driven by the collective efforts of the team. What is also rewarding is the personal impact you have on individuals achieving their goals.