It is interesting to examine how leaders demonstrate interest in and commitment to their companies where actions more than words are important and engaging with products, customers, and/or employees is paramount.
At one time, senior executives buying shares in a publicly traded company was perceived as a gesture of belief in the business. Some leaders went further, making it a priority to get closer to their consumers and the products they sell.
One of my fast-food restaurant chain clients required all C-Suite executives to spend time in their outlets cooking, cleaning, and taking customer orders.
While doing action learning workshops for a major automobile manufacturer I learned the CEO drove a different model car delivered off the assembly line each week. He wanted to learn firsthand what the customer experience will be like.
Recently I read that Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has taken his commitment to another level. He says he will live FULL-TIME in Airbnb properties, “I’ll be staying in a different town or city every couple of weeks.” From a business perspective the move is also seen as a furthering of Airbnb’s commitment to remote work arrangements that are a boost to the company’s long-term rental business.
In a recent Strategy+Business review of James Heskett’s new book, “Win from Within: Build Organizational Culture for Competitive Advantage” Theodore Kinni included this quote from the book, “There is little point in trying to create and maintain a competitive culture without a leader’s belief, enthusiasm, and passion.”
What examples have you seen where senior executives visibly demonstrated commitment to their companies?
-Photo from Airbnb’s latest TV ad campaign, “Strangers aren’t strange.”