Leadership Isn't About You
Center the team and business will soar
Retail made me impatient.
Retail gave me thick skin.
Retail worked me harder than I knew possible.
But -
Retail also made me curious, resourceful, and thoughtful.
I love this industry because the camaraderie is unmatched. When you open the doors in the morning, anything can happen. When anything does happen, you know that your teammates have your back, and you have theirs.
After about a decade in the industry, something switched in my brain. I was fighting so hard to get promoted, to get to the next level. Then I asked myself one fundamental question.
For what?
Why did I want the promotion? Was it for the money? Was it for the title?
I couldn't answer that question, so I let it go. My whole career had been ME, ME, ME! WHAT ABOUT ME? One day, I let it go and turned my focus to my team. I made inclusion, training, and fun a focus.
The team learned to work hard but not take themselves so seriously. Everything is in flux, and you have to move with it.
I began to trust myself more and delegate bigger and more operationally complex tasks to my team. They absolutely killed it. We all did.
Our sales soared, and customers were happy - because we were happy.
Job titles, sales goals, and compensation are made up. Will perpetual achievement make you happy? Maybe. To what end?
"An infinite mindset embraces abundance whereas a finite mindset operates with a scarcity mentality. In the Infinite Game we accept that "being the best" is a fool's errand and that multiple players can do well at the same time."
— Simon Sinek
My goal is to keep playing the game. Keep writing, learning, and encouraging others to be proud of their retail leadership career. Be proud of the skills you've accumulated.
Not many people can do your job and do it well.
Show up beaming, and others will shine too.
MAILBOX
Last week was a flurry of excitement as I launched The Break Room - a safe space for retail leaders.
I spent the week DM-ing interested people and getting the group going.
We are in the early phases of building our community, but there is already so much joy. Categories include:
WTF?
Epic Fail
Wins
Best Practices
Join us. Network. Find support. Come as you are. No judgment.
Hope to see you inside.
This way to The Break Room
LEVEL UP
How you can level up your leadership skills this week.
Let people go 15 minutes early.
Workloads are ramping up. Markdowns are coming along with fall merchandise and new floor sets.
When you can swing it, let people go a little early. Small rewards stack up to massive respect.
Get Your Guide
My book, The Retail Leader's Field Guide, is now available in paperback. 🤓
AND it is #1 on Amazon under New Releases in Leadership Training.
This is the how-to handbook you wish your company had given you.
I spill all my best practices for running productive, cohesive teams.
Thanks you for being here. If you dig my writing, please share this email.
Click the 🖤 so more people can discover this on Substack.
You're the absolute best.
Gret reminders and angles. Love the categories for the Break Room discussions!