Rick Lepsinger on Aligning Leadership Style with the Company’s Mission

Published: Jan 24, 2019

Rick Lepsinger talks about inspirational leaders and what we can learn from their example. James Sinegal, cofounder of Costco, isn’t your average CEO. His office overlooks a parking lot. He sits at a metal desk with a metal chair. His salary is less than half a million dollars (bonus included!), dramatically less than other CEOs, especially given the value he brings to his company. But in a company that’s all about thin margins, it’s the perfect attitude for a leader. Compare him to the auto company executives who flew to Washington in private jets to ask for bailout money. When the leader’s attitude matches the company mission and goals, that’s what Rick Lepsinger calls “alignment” in his new book Closing the Execution Gap. He points out that an organization’s leaders have to do more than just write the mission statement, they have to live the values they put forth and lead by example.AMA_Edgewise_1102.mp3