237. Adapting on the go: How Judy Marks leads Otis Worldwide Corporation through all manner of change
Feb 6, 2025
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Judy Marks, the Chair, President, and CEO of Otis Worldwide Corporation, discusses her journey leading one of the few Fortune 500 companies headed by a woman. She shares insights on navigating geopolitical changes and the importance of local decision-making across 200+ countries. Judy emphasizes sustainability as a corporate duty, detailing initiatives for energy efficiency and emissions reduction. She explores the evolving role of CEOs post-COVID-19, stressing strategic adaptability and the need for innovation while envisioning a legacy of growth and excellence.
Embracing change and making timely decisions without complete information are crucial aspects of effective leadership in dynamic industries.
Understanding macro trends like urbanization and digitalization enables Otis Worldwide Corporation to tailor its products and services to evolving customer demands.
Deep dives
Embracing Change in Leadership
Embracing change is essential for effective leadership, particularly in dynamic industries where adaptation is necessary for long-term success. Leaders must be comfortable making decisions without having all the information and recognize that the responsibility for these decisions ultimately falls on them. A consensus-driven approach can be valuable but has its limitations; sometimes, decisive action is required. Acknowledging mistakes and learning from them is crucial in the challenging landscape of business leadership.
Impact of Macro Trends on Strategy
Urbanization, aging populations, and digitalization are significant macro trends that influence the strategy of companies like Otis Worldwide Corporation. While mainstream discussions often focus on specific technological advancements, these higher-level trends ultimately shape the future of urban mobility and customer demands. Understanding and responding to these trends allow the company to tailor its services and products effectively. This proactive stance ensures alignment with broader economic trends and keeps the organization relevant amid rapid change.
Empowering Local Leadership
The success of a global company hinges on empowering local leaders to make decisions that best serve their communities. With 71,000 employees spread across numerous territories, fostering a culture of leadership at all levels is vital. This empowerment enables teams to respond quickly to customer needs, as they can execute strategies tailored to their local contexts. By trusting their employees, companies can create a more agile and responsive organization while maintaining a commitment to safety, ethics, and quality.
The Evolving Role of the CEO
The role of a CEO encompasses a blend of strategic oversight and stakeholder management, requiring adaptability to various situations. As the primary decision-maker, a CEO must galvanize the organization towards customer-centricity while balancing the needs of the board, employees, and communities. Continuous learning is essential, as staying informed about industry trends and stakeholders can influence successful leadership. The evolution towards becoming a more effective leader also includes being open to change and working tirelessly to improve both the organization and its impact on society.
Judy Marks is one of the few dozen women who lead Fortune 500 companies. She joined Connecticut-based Otis Elevator in 2017 as President, and was appointed CEO in 2019. After leading the company’s 2020 spinoff to become an independent publicly traded company, she was appointed Chair as well. Additionally, Judy serves on the board of Caterpillar.
In this episode McKinsey Senior Partner and North America Chair Eric Kutcher talks with Judy about how she thinks about geopolitical shifts, technological change, and leading 71,000 employees in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe.