Episode 13 - Dame Sharon White, Chairman, John Lewis Partnership
Nov 15, 2023
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Dame Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, discusses the partnership model, purpose in business, sustainability, and key leadership qualities in a changing landscape.
Prioritizing purpose and sustainability is essential for driving growth in businesses and addressing societal challenges.
Strong leadership qualities include resilience, agility, and fostering a sense of belonging within the organization.
Deep dives
The Importance of Purpose-Driven Business for Sustainable Growth
Dame Sharon White, the chair of the John Lewis Partnership, discusses the significance of purpose-led or values-driven business and its impact on commercial success. She emphasizes the need for businesses to not only have a focus on profitability but to also prioritize purpose and sustainability to drive growth. Sharon highlights examples from the John Lewis Partnership, where a commitment to community, sustainability, and social impact has become a key driver of success. She argues that business has a crucial role in addressing societal challenges and that businesses today need to navigate the complexities of being socially useful while remaining commercially viable.
Balancing the Needs of People, Planet, and Profit
Sharon White explores the challenge of balancing the needs of people, the planet, and profit. She discusses the importance of considering the impact of business decisions on various stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the environment. Sharon emphasizes the role of businesses in addressing social issues like underrepresentation and fostering a sense of belonging for individuals who have been marginalized. She also highlights the need for businesses to navigate the political landscape and proactively engage with governments to create a coherent economic framework that supports sustainable growth.
The Unique Perspective of an Employee-Owned Business
As the chair of an employee-owned business, Sharon White discusses the unique perspective and values of the John Lewis Partnership. She explains that the partnership's focus is not solely on maximizing profits but on making a societal impact and creating a sense of belonging for its employees, called partners. Sharon shares personal experiences and examples of how the partnership supports its partners, provides opportunities for those with diverse backgrounds, and addresses challenges faced by its community. She emphasizes the importance of long-term decision-making, responsibility, and resilience in creating a successful and sustainable employee-owned business.
Leadership Qualities for Navigating Complexity
Sharon White highlights key leadership qualities required for navigating the complexities of modern business. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and agility in dealing with ambiguity and unforeseen challenges. Sharon also stresses the significance of strong connections with employees and customers, fostering a sense of belonging within the organization. Drawing from personal experiences, she encourages leaders to be authentic, believe in their vision, and empower their teams. Sharon concludes by emphasizing the importance of having fun, doing what you love, and making a positive impact throughout a lifelong career.
In this episode of the ‘Pull up a Chair’ podcast, Bina Mehta speaks with Dame Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership; owner and operator of two of Britain’s best loved retail businesses, John Lewis and Waitrose.
Sharon became the Partnership's sixth Chairman in February 2020, after having moved from Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, where she served as Chief Executive from 2015.
Together, they explore John Lewis’ partnership model and its sustained significance in the face of a changing labour market, transformation and change – why it’s important to keep purpose in the centre and plan for the long-term – and why ‘connectivity’ is a defining characteristic of good leadership.
Join the conversation on sustainable growth.
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