Alex Gorsky on Leadership Challenges at Johnson & Johnson

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Alex Gorsky, CEO and Chairman of Johnson & Johnson, discusses the complexities of leadership, particularly the challenging decisions that impact employees and families. Gorsky emphasizes the importance of assembling the right team, fostering open debate, and considering diverse perspectives to ensure well-thought-out decisions. He also highlights the evolution of his leadership style, moving from working through others to understanding the global implications of decisions. Furthermore, Gorsky stresses the significance of developing future leaders and the enduring values of Johnson & Johnson's Credo in guiding the company's ethical and cultural compass.

Takeaways

• 😀 Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson, emphasizes the importance of making tough decisions with care, empathy, and a well-thought-out process.
• 🤔 Gorsky highlights the significance of having the right team to support decision-making and fostering an environment for debate and challenge within the company.
• 🔄 He discusses the evolution of his leadership style, moving from individual contribution to working through others, considering global impacts, and predicting strategic implications.
• 🌐 Gorsky underscores the global impact of decisions, noting that every decision can affect various locations from Mumbai to Miami.
• 💡 He shares an example of challenging the status quo by asking a law firm to argue the opposite point of view to ensure thorough consideration of all implications.
• 🛡 The CEO talks about his experience with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and how it influenced his leadership approach, especially in terms of service to stakeholders.
• 🌟 Gorsky expresses pride in developing leaders and the importance he places on a leader's track record in nurturing future talent.
• 🤝 He stresses the importance of a leader's commitment to high performance, development of future leaders, and alignment with the company's credo.
• 👥 Gorsky advises new leaders to be authentic, embrace humility, and understand that making mistakes is part of the growth process.
• 📜 He addresses the importance of the Johnson & Johnson Credo, which has guided the company for over 70 years and continues to be a moral compass for decision-making.
• 🔄 Gorsky discusses the process of keeping the Credo relevant, including Credo challenge sessions to ensure its principles remain integral to the company's culture and operations.

Q & A

What is the primary challenge Alex Gorsky has faced in his role as CEO of Johnson & Johnson?

The primary challenge Alex Gorsky has faced is making significant organizational and people changes within the company, especially those that can impact employees and their families.

How does Alex Gorsky approach decision-making in a large company like Johnson & Johnson?

Alex Gorsky approaches decision-making by ensuring he has the right team around him, fostering an atmosphere of debate and challenge, and encouraging diversity of opinion, even to the point of having people argue the opposite of the proposed direction.

Can you provide an example of how Alex Gorsky stimulated diverse opinions during a decision-making process?

Alex Gorsky once asked the chief counsel to have a law firm argue the opposite point of view on a product recommendation, ensuring that all implications were thoroughly considered before making a decision.

How has Alex Gorsky's leadership style evolved over his career at Johnson & Johnson?

Alex Gorsky's leadership style has evolved to focus more on working through others, understanding the global impact of decisions, and predicting strategic implications for the long-term sustainability of the company.

What is the most significant myth about leadership that Alex Gorsky believes people often get wrong?

The most significant myth is the belief that the top leader is there to just make decisions, rather than being in service to those who will be impacted by those decisions.

What advice does Alex Gorsky have for new leaders stepping into significant leadership roles?

Alex Gorsky advises new leaders to be themselves, approach their roles with humility, understand that they will make mistakes, and learn to care for the people working with them.

What is the importance of the Credo at Johnson & Johnson, and how does it guide the company's decisions?

The Credo serves as a moral compass and a guide for the company's decisions, outlining responsibilities to various stakeholders and emphasizing service to customers, employees, communities, and shareholders.

How does Johnson & Johnson ensure that the Credo remains relevant and alive within the organization?

Johnson & Johnson ensures the Credo's relevance through town hall meetings, outreach programs, and Credo challenge sessions, where the document is reviewed line by line to maintain its significance in decision-making.

What is Alex Gorsky's view on the role of a leader in developing other leaders within an organization?

Alex Gorsky believes that a leader's ability to develop other leaders is a key indicator of their effectiveness, and he focuses on their track record of performance, people development, and alignment with the company's Credo.

How does Alex Gorsky define success or accomplishment in his career at Johnson & Johnson?

Alex Gorsky defines success as the ability to develop great leaders who have taken on significant responsibilities within and outside Johnson & Johnson, and who have made a positive impact on patients and consumers.