Words from one of our favorite CEO’s Indra Nooyi, in her final note to colleagues at PepsiCo. As I sat down to write this note—my last as CEO—I felt a surge of emotions. THE Key lessons that have guided me throughout my career, I hope may be of use to you in the years to come. First, whether you work in operations, sales, R&D, or any of our functions, always have a clear, compelling vision for what you want to accomplish. As it is written in the Book of Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” o do so in a way that’s sustainable over the long haul, a way that balances the company’s level. Next, bring people along with you. No matter how smart your strategy, success or failure usually comes down to one thing: the team. Third, be good listeners. When someone gives you feedback, assume positive intent. Fourth, be lifelong students. Our world is changing rapidly all around us, and if you want to continue to thrive in the years ahead, you’ll need to continually educate yourself. Finally, think hard about time. We have so little of it on this earth. Make the most of your days, and make space for the loved ones who matter most. Take it from me. I’ve been blessed with an amazing career, but if I’m being honest, there have been moments I wish I’d spent more time with my children and family. So, I encourage you: be mindful of your choices on the road ahead. Indra CEO tip….why don’t you have all of your team write down their “career to date” life lessons and interweave them together to bolster company culture, focus on customers, and accelerate your team’s interdependence.
