Law Center News
Five characteristics of a leader shared by Wal-Mart executive in talk at SULC, March 15
The 2016 Law Week featured speaker Latriece Watkins, senior vice president of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., shared five characteristics of a successful leader in hopes of inspiring the audience members to become the best that they can be.
Watkins’s presentation on March 15 was sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office, with a salute to the observance of March as Women’s Month. A native of McGehee, Arkansas, the Wal-Mart executive described herself as the first in her family to go to college, an only child from a long line of women, and one who has cultivated great girlfriends. Each of these circumstances has had its effect on her life, including teaching her how to take charge and boosting her confidence.
Watkins is also a mom who values confidence, caring, and curious, which she feels are her best attributes and have provided her with great career success. A graduate of Spelman College and the University of Arkansas School of Law, Watkins joined Wal-Mart in 1997 as an intern and in the last 19 years successfully climbed the ladder of greater responsibility and position doing what she believes leaders do.
Leaders do five things well, she says, discussing what she means by each. First, she says, “They do hard work, meaning they do more than others.” Leaders bring their authentic selves, which she described as not an excuse to show up with flaws and expect others to be impressed, but to bring one’s whole self.
“They often forge a new path, not just the one less traveled,” she said. Additionally, Watkins says leaders don’t take themselves too seriously; and lastly, they are above average. “Being fantastic is my goal!” she exclaimed.
Her advice to the audience is focus on the work, not on promotions. “Promotions well deserved will come,” she said. When she accepts a job, she says she is interested in the work and new assignments, and she works for people she trusts.
Watkins says she writes down the lessons she’s learned through her experiences with mentors, team members, fellow workers, and individuals to whom she reports. “Hopefully not to have to repeat any (lessons),” she said.
In closing, she stated, “History is what someone does.” Having asked the audience members earlier in her presentation to write down the names of three female leaders in history that they most admired and give one characteristic that can describe all three, she ended with another self-reflective assignment and challenge.
“How will you show up in history for someone else?”
RSS News Feed