Target CEO Brian Cornell asks: How can you immerse yourself with your team?
May 29, 2024
auto_awesome
Target's CEO, Brian Cornell, shares how his sports background shaped his leadership style, emphasizing humility and teamwork. He discusses the importance of effective communication, retail fundamentals, and clear roadmaps for business success. Cornell also highlights the benefits of team immersion trips and strategic shifts for business growth.
Success in leadership is linked to sports experiences instilling teamwork and crucial skills.
Brian Cornell emphasizes humility, empathy, and clear communication as essential qualities for effective leadership.
Deep dives
The Significance of Sports in Executives' Growth
Many Fortune 500 executives, including Dan Cathy and Ed Bastian, credit sports for valuable leadership lessons. Regardless of their athletic achievements, being part of a team instilled crucial skills that they apply in their current roles. This common denominator reveals the enduring impact of sports experiences on leadership development.
Leadership Style Influenced by Sports Background
Brian Cornell, CEO of Target, emphasizes the competitive spirit and discipline gained from his background in football, basketball, baseball, and track. His leadership mirrors the teamwork and strong team culture fostered through his athletic endeavors. This approach earned him recognition with the John Wooden Global Leadership Award, highlighting the link between sports and effective leadership.
Value of Humility and Approachability in Leadership
Drawing from his upbringing, Brian Cornell emphasizes the importance of humility, approachability, and empathy in leadership. These qualities, instilled by his grandparents, guide his interactions with his team and contribute to a culture of care, growth, and unity at Target. Cornell's personal experiences underscore the significance of relatability and inspiration in leadership roles.
Strategic Shifts and Communication in Challenging Times
During pivotal moments, such as the retail industry's evolution in 2017, Brian Cornell led Target through strategic shifts, like utilizing stores as digital fulfillment centers. Central to success was clear communication and articulation of the 'whys' behind decisions, echoing Coach John Wooden's emphasis on explaining strategies. Cornell's commitment to simplifying and amplifying the organization's roadmap for growth aligns with the foundational principles of effective leadership and communication.
Ep. 182: As a four-sport athlete, sports was one area that provided a level-playing field for Brian who grew up in Queens raised by his mom and grandparents. Coaching high school football helped pay his way through UCLA and now the chair and CEO of one of America’s most iconic companies, nearly 2,000-store Target, just shakes his head in wonder as he thinks about just how much he learned from watching UCLA’s John Wooden.
Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply Brian’s insights.
---
Looking for a speaker for your next event? From more than 30 years of interviewing and studying the greatest winners of all time Don offers these live and virtual presentations built to inspire your team towards personal and professional greatness.
Special thanks to Libby Klemeyer and Daniel Kehn for making this episode possible.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode