To get the most out of your talent, you need to create an environment that allows them to thrive. Nobody knows this better than Indra Nooyi, who spent 12 years as the CEO of PepsiCo.
Her drive to support talent underpinned the initiatives that transformed the company. “I looked at each person in my company, not as a tool of the trade,” she says, “but I looked at them as an individual asset that had to bring their head, heart, and hands to the company for us to be successful.”
For big iconic companies to remain successful, we needed the best and the brightest talent, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, orientation.
The Importance of Bringing Your Full Self to Work
Bringing your full self to work is crucial to the success of a startup. As a founder, you need to fully commit to your mission and product, but when looking for talent to bring along, skills are not the only important factor.
Encouraging talent to thrive at all levels is crucial, according to former PepsiCo CEO, Indra Nooyi. Nooyi faced her own challenges as a woman in business in India in the 1970s, but her ingenuity and perseverance made her a success at Johnson & Johnson, where she spearheaded the launch of a new line of sanitary pads for the Indian market.
Fostering diversity and inclusion can lead to innovative solutions and successful outcomes.
What a leader needs to do
As a leader, prioritize consumer needs over manufacturing limitations, implement initiatives that balance financial success with responsibility, attract top talent, and foster an environment that supports creativity and innovation.
Example: With a focus on valuing talent and creating an environment for creativity and growth, Indra Nooyi transformed PepsiCo into an innovative and successful company by reducing sugar, salt, and water usage, hiring key personnel, and implementing a system to thank parents of executives.
I think that innovation is not just about creating new products or services. It’s also about creating new ways of doing things, new processes, new systems, new cultures.
Encouraging innovation
Recognizing individual employee strengths and promoting diversity leads to a vibrant, innovative company culture. Like a thriving garden, diverse talent cross-pollinates ideas, promoting success even in large corporations.
Encouraging innovation and collaboration within a company, and creating support systems for underrepresented talent, not only fulfills ethical responsibilities but also has economic benefits for both the company and the community.
I think that data is the lifeblood of any business. You have to collect it, analyze it, and use it to make better decisions.
Understand the unique challenges
A clear and innovative pitch that values 360-degree perspectives can attract top talent, but understanding the unique challenges and needs of different industries is crucial for business success.
Creating a positive work environment, attracting diverse talent, embracing innovation, and building emotional connections with consumers are critical components of a successful business strategy.
