Leading Through Change: Leadership Lessons from Five Standout Industry Executives
What does effective leadership look like when an organization is navigating significant change?
Periods of transformation, rapid growth, industry disruption, and organizational uncertainty place unique demands on leaders. Strategy remains essential, but the ability to build culture, create alignment, make difficult decisions, and inspire people becomes equally important.
In this special expanded mash-up episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn brings together insights from some of the podcast’s most impactful conversations with accomplished leaders across the retail and consumer industries.
Drawing from their experiences leading turnarounds, growing organizations, introducing new initiatives, and managing teams at scale, these executives share practical perspectives on what it takes to lead effectively when the stakes are high.
Featuring:
James D. White, former CEO of Jamba Juice
Gabe Disbrow, President & CEO of Leevers Supermarkets
Larree Renda, former Executive Vice President at Safeway
Kathy Sweigert, Mid-Atlantic Divisional Vice President, The GIANT Company
Sheila Muniz, Head of Large Store Division, The Coca-Cola Company
Episode Highlights
(02:40) Why James D. White prioritized culture while leading Jamba Juice through a major turnaround during the Great Recession.
(05:07) How Gabe Disbrow adapted his leadership approach after transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce.
(05:38) How an “owner mentality” can strengthen employee engagement, shared purpose, and organizational growth.
(08:24) How Larree Renda and her team turned a bold, initially uncertain idea into the Safeway Foundation and a significant charitable initiative.
(11:24) Why courage can be the defining leadership characteristic that separates senior executives from those who struggle to advance.
(13:22) How effective leaders balance genuine care for their people with accountability, clear expectations, and constructive feedback.
(14:44) How leadership evolves from tactical to strategic to inspirational, and why purpose and a strong challenger network become increasingly important at the executive level.
“Culture is always going to trump strategy.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
Why culture can be a critical driver of organizational performance during a turnaround
How an owner mentality can strengthen employee engagement and alignment
Why leaders must adapt their approach when transitioning between different organizational cultures
How calculated risks and bold decisions can create significant long-term impact
Why courage is an essential leadership capability that can be developed over time
How to balance care for employees with accountability and clear expectations
Why leadership must evolve as responsibility and organizational scope increase
How purpose helps leaders create alignment across large and distributed teams
Why strong leaders intentionally surround themselves with people who challenge their thinking
How culture, people, and performance reinforce one another during periods of transformation
Connect with James D. White on LinkedIn
Connect with Gabe Disbrow on LinkedIn
Connect with Larree Renda on LinkedIn
Connect with Kathy Sweigert on LinkedIn
Connect with Sheila Muniz Ebanks on LinkedIn
Stay Candid
Candid with Candidates shares real stories from inside major organizations—stories that don’t make it into the slide decks or LinkedIn highlight reels. Follow along for conversations that inform, encourage, and help you navigate your own path to leadership.
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