When I joined Walmart in 1996, I wanted to build up some corporate experience. My plan at that time was to spend two years working at Walmart to learn what kind of corporate culture drives Walmart’s unprecedented business success.
Now, after almost 18 years, I am still with the company and enjoying what I do day-in and day-out. It’s because of two magnetic powers that attract me: the corporate culture that matches my value system and a huge global platform where I can make a difference beyond my personal capability.
Walmart’s culture is incorporated into every aspect of our business: Service to our Customers - We're here to serve customers, support each other, and give to our local communities. Respect for the Individual - We value every associate, own the work we do and communicate by listening and sharing ideas. Strive for Excellence - We work as a team and model positive examples while we innovate and improve every day. Act with Integrity - We act with the highest level of integrity by being honest, fair, and objective while operating in compliance with all laws and our policies. No matter how the world changes, or how we change in response, we must keep our culture strong everywhere. Our culture is what differentiates us from the competition. It transcends across different countries and appeals to people everywhere.
SK: How do you define success?
DF: I believe success equals “positive attitude + 100% dedication.” By “positive attitude,” I mean, first, you believe in yourself; secondly, you’re willing to take well-calculated risks in new challenges; and thirdly, you’re not satisfied with mediocrity.
“100% dedication” is that you’re committed and focused, you give your best to whatever you do, and you have a beginner’s mind, ready to learn from failure and want to try different approaches to achieve your goals. Let me share with you one of my childhood memories that helped shape my definition of success: When I was a fourth grader, one semester I scored a 95% on my math final. I felt pretty good since it was still an A. My father was a seasoned surgeon. He sensed something in me and had a serious discussion with me about the score. He questioned me first, “Why didn’t you achieve a 100, and do you know where you lost the 5 points?” He then explained to me that if you were a surgeon like him, that a 5 point miss could cost a life on the operating table or leave a patient with a life-long disability. If you look at it that way, the missing score is much bigger than it looks.
He didn’t expect me to have 100% all the time, but he wanted me to not give up the learning opportunities to figure out the missing gap. He taught me that you have to dedicate 100% all the time. It is all about attitude. Your attitude impacts your behavior; your behavior shapes your habit; your habit determines your ambition; your ambition defines your success.
My father passed away four years ago. That conversation is so vivid in my memory. It taught me that when you have a positive attitude and give 100% dedication to whatever you do, it leads you to success and gives you a sense of fulfillment.
WALMART'S
GLOBAL PERSPECTVE
AND DIVERSITY.
by Svetlana Kim
Perreault Magazine - 41 -