Micah Walker’s Post

When I started my career and spent 2 to 3 years in the industry, I often wondered why people at the top were paid so well. I didn't understand why those of us at lower levels, who worked hard to delight customers and generate revenue, received only words of appreciation while top executives received large bonuses. As I grew and learned more, I realized that the toughest job in the corporate world is making decisions and taking responsibility for their outcomes. The decision-making process is a roller coaster, requiring one to foresee all aspects and make a choice based on that foresight. While it’s easy to model a binary outcome, implementing it in real life is often very challenging. I have a deep appreciation for those in decision-making positions and believe they truly deserve every penny they earn. #leader #leadership #decision #decisionmaker #executives

Top 3% but criticized harshly—why? A colleague in the #RetailSector recently shared a surprising experience. She’s a store manager for a national retailer that usually hits all of their targets and metrics. But with new nationwide systems recently implemented, her team has struggled, leading to a slight dip in performance. During a recent visit, a regional manager harshly criticized everyone, the store, and the management team due to the dip, leaving them deflated. Determined to improve the situation, my colleague researched other stores' performances to see how to measure success. Astonishingly, her store ranked in the top 3% nationwide! Later, another higher-ranking regional manager visited and simply asked, "How can we help?" This supportive approach led to identifying areas for improvement, focusing on training, and surpassing previous metrics. This story highlights that harsh criticism demotivates, while supportive #Leadership fosters growth and success. Fellow #Leaders, choose to uplift rather than berate your team. Tag someone you know who excels at supportive leadership!

Top 3% but criticized harshly—why? A colleague in the #RetailSector recently shared a surprising experience. She’s a store manager for a national retailer that usually hits all of their targets and metrics. But with new nationwide systems recently implemented, her team has struggled, leading to a slight dip in performance. During a recent visit, a regional manager harshly criticized everyone, the store, and the management team due to the dip, leaving them deflated. Determined to improve the situation, my colleague researched other stores' performances to how to measure success. Astonishingly, her store ranked in the top 3% nationwide! Later, another higher-ranking regional manager visited and simply asked, "How can we help?" This supportive approach led to identifying areas for improvement, focusing on training, and surpassing previous metrics. This story highlights that harsh criticism demotivates, while supportive #Leadership fosters growth and success. Fellow #Leaders, choose to uplift rather than berate your team. Tag someone you know who excels at supportive leadership!

Only 25 people? And you have 8 whole weeks? Those are rookie numbers. Try being a District Manager for Spirit Halloween. When people talk to me about my skills and my drive I always attribute it to having spent my first 20 years of my career in Service and Retail management. Working for places like Dollar Tree in the early 2000s and Spirit for 7 seasons, you learn quickly to be the most resilient and adaptive person you can possibly be or you simply don't make it. There were times as a Spirit DM where I made significantly less than anyone else in the stores because I was getting paid salary for 40 hrs at $850/wk but working 90+. Staying hours after everyone else had gone home, leaving the store just to come home and open the laptop for hours more of sifting through applications and reports, running to 3 different township offices before getting to a store to spend the next 12 hours building/merchandising/interviewing/training/cheerleading/etc. I once spent 8 hrs packing up an entire store's worth of fixtures only to get a call that another DM's store was struggling to do the same and managed to convince 3 of my team members to follow me for the hour and a half drive to go spend another 6 hours fixing what they had done and repacking their whole store. These are the retail equivalent of war stories. After all that hardly anything is a challenge. You need dedication, drive, ingenuity? I've got you. You need someone who can rally a team in the worst circumstances to do what seems impossible? Hold my coffee. You need someone who is going to work until the job is done? I don't know any other way. Need someone to think 12 moves ahead and identify potential hurdles that noone else would see coming? Checkmate.

Talk about leaders who do it all!!

Recruiting top talent? Check. Deescalating situations with ease? Double check. Marketing/relationships/scheduling/budget management? All the checks. I can and do wear so many hats because that’s what I’ve been trained to do.

I’ve had a fantastic conversation with a CEO today…. I’ll tell you why. 1. He’s taken over a business and wants to improve things and build the culture around supporting their customer, they’re going to transform 2. He’s appointed 5 directors reporting directly to him (many leaders have too many direct reports) 3. Next he and directors are going to appoint 12 senior ‘heads of’ 4. After that they’re going to appoint 21 senior managers to oversee the teams He’s starting in the centre then radiating out in a planned, measured way. He’s ensuring everyone understands the business purpose and core values. Everything is about increasing the value delivered to the customer. I was blown away by his approach and plan. It’s going to be an excellent business to support. Litterally one of my best conversations in ages. Too many people do one of two things. The first is they try and go too fast too soon without having a solid senior team foundation. The second is they lack the awareness of what’s involved in transforming a large organisation and don’t think enough. It was great to see and chat with someone who gets it. Bravo. We need more leaders like this guy. #leadership #planning #businessresults #customerfirst

Want to know how to hire 25 people in 8 weeks? Ask a retail leader. Want to know how to become a black belt in scheduling & planning? Ask a retail leader. Want to become ultimately resourceful? Ask a retail leader. Want to know how to build relationships with anyone? Ask a retail leader. Retail leaders are gritty & savvy. They treat their stores like their own businesses. Take a step back, listen to them, and see. Keep shining, leaders. You got this. ✌🏼 #retail #leadership PS. You got this even when you're working ten days straight. Lean on your leaders, stay hydrated, and take ALL your time off.

🎶✨ Leading with Joy: Orchestrating Success in Retail ✨🎶 Amidst the holiday hustle, the role of a leader transcends managing tasks; it becomes a symphony of inspiration and joy. 🌟🛍️ "In the midst of holiday chaos, the best leaders are conductors of joy. Inspire your retail team with the melody of positivity, and together, create a symphony of success." 🎶🎄 #HolidayHarmony #RetailLeadership As leaders, let's embrace the transformative power of joy. 🌈 Every positive note we strike reverberates through our teams, resonating in customer interactions and shaping an unforgettable season for all. 💖✨ Tag a leader who conducts with joy and share your insights on how you infuse positivity into your retail leadership! 🚀 📆📞https://lnkd.in/gAeW99sb Read More: https://lnkd.in/epHCvEHe #RetailLeadership #RetailSuccess2024 #DynamicStrategy #InnovationInRetail #CustomerExperience #AdaptabilityInBusiness #LeadershipJoy #HolidaySuccess #InspirationInRetail