ReThinking Indra Nooyi wants us to reimagine the return to work
Oct 26, 2021
Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo and a Time 100 honoree, shares her insights on leadership and the future of work. She reveals her unique approach of writing over 400 letters to her employees' parents, emphasizing mentorship's importance. Topics include navigating gender bias, the need for flexible work models, and prioritizing family commitments. Indra also discusses the Pepsi Refresh Initiative, advocating for corporate social responsibility, and the evolving dynamics in board discussions, particularly the inclusion of women.
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Parent Appreciation Letters
- Indra Nooyi wrote personalized letters to the parents of her direct reports, thanking them for the "gift of their child" to PepsiCo.
- This fostered strong relationships and boosted morale, with one executive's father proudly sharing the letter with his entire apartment building.
Delivering Feedback
- Deliver critical feedback delicately by framing it as questions, not blunt statements.
- Nooyi learned this from George Fisher, who advised her to soften her delivery for better reception.
Combating Bias
- To combat bias, Nooyi asked a male colleague to present her ideas, highlighting the different reception they received.
- This tactic exposed the unequal treatment and ultimately helped her voice be heard.
