Cross-Cultural Leadership: A Look at Rosalind Brewer's Approach to Global Business in the United States

The significance of cross-cultural leadership is growing in the current global business environment. Those who are fascinated by leadership, diversity, and international business strategies may find this topic compelling.

Key Takeaways

• A brief overview of the importance of cross-cultural leadership in today's global business environment.
• Introduction to Rosalind Brewer and her role as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
• Overview of Brewer's career journey leading up to her role as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance.
• Highlights of her leadership experience and achievements in the business world.
• Overview of Walgreens Boots Alliance as a multinational company with operations in various countries.
• Discussion of the importance of cross-cultural leadership in managing global teams and diverse markets.
• Discussion of Brewer's leadership philosophy and values, particularly in the context of diversity and inclusion.

In today's globalized world, it's not uncommon to see companies working on international projects with teams comprising individuals from various cultures and countries. These projects are often led by Project Managers hailing from different parts of the world, which adds a unique diversity to the teams and necessitates increased collaboration and leadership at multiple levels.

As the talent pool continues to expand with experienced professionals from across the globe, leaders must adapt and create an inclusive work environment that fosters a true sense of belonging. Embracing a cross-cultural team can bring numerous benefits to a company, including fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a renewed sense of creativity. To develop effective cross-cultural leadership skills, one must possess persistence, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to understand and appreciate different perspectives.

Certainly, a valuable approach to gaining insight into the role of a cross-cultural leader is to examine the leadership qualities demonstrated by Rosalind Brewer during her tenure as the CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Notably, Brewer held the distinction of being one of just two Black female CEOs among Fortune 500 companies. Frequently finding herself as the sole woman, and perhaps the only person of color, amidst a room full of executives, she remained authentic to herself, which undoubtedly contributed to her remarkable success.

As a Fortune 500 CEO, Brewer belonged to an exclusive and esteemed group. As the sole black female CEO within this group, she occupied a truly exceptional position and had to navigate the immense pressure, scrutiny, and expectations that came with being a trailblazer in her field. In the corporate realm she navigates, she grasped the reality that many fail to comprehend the racial tensions in her nation, dividing those marginalized and those unable to envision a brighter future. It became crucial for her to push for progress in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

“Everybody has their purpose in how you get into a situation or an environment, but I take advantage of it and do everything I can to teach and expose people to my culture and who I am.”

Background of Rosalind Brewer

Born in 1962, Brewer is an accomplished American businesswoman who has made significant strides in her career. She held the prestigious position of CEO at Walgreens Boots Alliance, making history as the only Black woman to lead an S&P 500 company. Additionally, Brewer served as a director on WBA's Board, showcasing her expertise and influence in the business world. Before her role at Walgreens, Brewer showcased her exceptional leadership skills as the chief operating officer and group president at Starbucks. During her tenure, she implemented crucial policy changes and spearheaded racial bias training for thousands of employees across more than 8,000 stores. This groundbreaking initiative solidified her position as the first black and first woman to hold the esteemed titles of COO and group president at Starbucks.

Brewer's responsibilities extended beyond the United States, as she successfully led businesses and operations in Canada and Latin America. Brewer's remarkable achievements didn't stop there. In 2019, she shattered another glass ceiling by becoming the only Black woman to join Amazon's board. Her presence on such a prominent platform further highlights her exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to breaking barriers in the corporate world.

Brewer embarked on her journey with Walmart in 2006, starting as the vice president and gradually climbing the ranks to become the senior vice president, executive vice president for southeastern operations, and executive vice president for the eastern business unit at Walmart stores. However, in 2012, she decided to leave Walmart and took on the role of president and chief executive officer of Sam's Club, a division of Walmart, Inc. She dedicated five years to transforming Sam's Club into a modern-day powerhouse, introducing innovative services like advanced online grocery ordering.

Before her time at Walmart, Brewer served as the president of the Global Nonwovens Division at Kimberly-Clark Corporation from 2004 to 2006. Her impressive career at Kimberly-Clark began back in 1984, where she held various management positions.

Currently holding the position of Chair Emerita of the Board of Trustees at Spelman College, where she completed her undergraduate studies, Brewer also serves as a Board Member at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her previous roles include serving on the Board of Directors at Starbucks, Amazon, Lockheed Martin Corp., and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Recognized for her influence, Fortune ranked Brewer as the 27th Most Powerful Woman in the World in 2020, while Forbes placed her at the 48th spot in their World's 100 Most Powerful Women list.

Walgreens Boots Alliance: A Global Perspective

Established in 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) is a healthcare, pharmacy, and retail company headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, United States. It is the result of a merger between Walgreens and Alliance Boots, which are renowned retail pharmacy chains in the US and UK respectively. In addition to operating these chains, Walgreens Boots Alliance also owns various pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution companies.

With a workforce of over 440,000 employees spread across more than 25 countries, it holds a prominent position as one of the largest global entities in the retail, pharmacy, and drug wholesale sectors. Forbes has recognized it as one of the top 2000 largest public companies worldwide.

Walgreen

In 1909, Charles Rudolph Walgreen Sr. established the Walgreen Company by purchasing the drugstore where he worked as a pharmacist in Chicago, U.S. As part of the Walgreens Boots Alliance's Retail Pharmacy USA division, Walgreens and Duane Reade, which was acquired in 2010, offer a wide range of prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as various household items including personal care and beauty products.

With its presence in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens operates both physical stores and online platforms. In addition to its website, Walgreens.com, the company also manages online stores such as Beauty.com, Drugstore.com (both acquired in 2011), and VisionDirect.com.

Alliance Boots

Boots, a renowned retail pharmacy, has a rich history that dates back to 1849. It all began when John Boot opened the first Boots store in Goose Gate, Nottingham, UK. Initially, the store focused on selling herbal remedies. However, in 1935, Boots expanded its offerings by launching No7 cosmetics. Over the years, Boots has become an integral part of the Retail Pharmacy International division of the company.

In 2006, a significant milestone was achieved when the Boots Group merged with Alliance UniChem, resulting in the formation of Alliance Boots. This merger brought together two influential entities in the industry.

Today, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) stands as a multinational holding company operating in a cross-cultural environment. Its impressive portfolio includes renowned retail and business brands such as Walgreens, Duane Reade, Boots, and Alliance Healthcare. Additionally, WBA has expanded its reach by introducing global health and beauty product brands like No7, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle, Botanics, Sleek MakeUP, and YourGoodSkin. These brands are now available in over 25 countries.

Given the diverse nature of its operations, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. requires a unique type of leadership that can effectively navigate the complexities of a multinational organization.

Brewer, a highly adept cross-cultural leader, found herself immersed in a diverse cross-cultural setting, where she recognized the significance of effectively managing global teams and navigating through diverse markets. To cultivate cross-cultural leadership abilities that encompass various ethnicities, religions, races, and cultures, one must possess a resolute determination, an inquisitive nature, and a genuine eagerness to comprehend diverse viewpoints. It entails being self-aware and understanding our own biases within the professional sphere, and dedicating ourselves to transforming our perception of differences.

Rosalind Brewer's Approach to Cross-Cultural Leadership

Brewer's primary approach is to consistently present her authentic self in any work setting she encounters. She never conceals her cultural background under any circumstances, and this approach has proven beneficial as it enables others to rely on her and understand her expectations when engaging with her. By fostering an open-minded environment and providing a secure and inclusive space, you can cultivate a genuine sense of belonging within your team.

Initially, Brewer's leadership principles and ethics were primarily focused on diversity. In an interview with Adi Ignatius on hbr.org, she stated that

“we have been focusing on the D of DE&I and not equity and not inclusion. we’ve been putting numbers on the board from a diversity standpoint, but we’re not creating equity. And then there’s a piece around inclusion.”

She expressed her belief that the George Floyd incident highlighted a lack of understanding regarding the race issues prevalent in her country.

From an inclusive and equitable perspective, the leadership team she leads has established environments that encourage individuals to fully embrace the opportunities presented to them. They have understood the backgrounds of both their employees and customers, providing them with an environment where they feel valued, heard, and acknowledged.

During her tenure at Starbucks, Brewer and her leadership team prioritized engaging in meaningful conversations with people rather than simply talking at them. They emphasized active listening over excessive talking. This approach was also implemented during her time as CEO of WBA, where she made it a practice to never enter a retail unit with her mobile device out, setting an example for others.

At Walgreens Boot Alliance, Brewer's initial focus lies in ensuring that the organization comprehends the major challenges that need to be addressed from a diversity perspective. She firmly believes that even with the most exceptional strategy in place, if the team functions within isolated departments, the desired outcomes will not be achieved.

When assembling an agile team, she ensures that the finance, technology, operations, and manufacturing departments are not all present in the same room or engaged in the same discussion to tackle the major issue at hand. It is more effective to have the finance team address finance-related problems, the tech team resolves technology-related issues, and so on. This highlights the importance of diversity within each department, such as diversity in finance and diversity in technology.

Collaboration within a diverse team can lead to a wealth of knowledge exchange. By sharing unique skills, experiences, and insights, team members can spark creativity and innovation through fresh perspectives. In today's virtual work environment, where teams are increasingly globalized, embracing diversity is crucial for success. Let's take a moment to appreciate the value of inclusivity in leadership and global business.?

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