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Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy
Retail leadership isn’t what it used to be — and neither are you.
After 30+ years of navigating the realities of store floors, boardrooms, restructures, and reinventions, I’ve learned this: the gap between what retail leaders need to grow and what companies actually provide is wider than ever. Promotions don’t come with clarity. Expectations rise, but context disappears. And while the metrics may shift, the pressure never does.
This podcast is for the retail leader who's already proven themselves — and still wants more.
This podcast is for the experienced retail leader who wants more — not more work, but more direction, more insight, and more impact.
I'm Steve Worthy — retail executive coach and founder of Worthy Retail Global. I’ve coached and developed thousands of leaders over three decades, and I created this podcast to give you the straight, strategic guidance I wish I had earlier in my career.
You’ve earned your position. Now let’s make sure you lead like it.
Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy
Retail - Stop Making Everything So Complicated!
Retail is more complicated than it needs to be, and in this episode of Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy, we cut through the noise with Walter Holbrook, a seasoned retail executive with over 60 years of experience—from stockroom to boardroom.
Walter shares the hard truths about leadership, execution, and why common sense is missing in today’s retail landscape. He challenges leaders to rethink how they approach hiring, communication, and operational execution, emphasizing the need for honesty, grit, and a willingness to embrace friction as a path to improvement.
From stockouts to corporate misalignment and the real reasons behind retail’s struggles, Walter brings unfiltered insights and no-nonsense solutions to help leaders simplify, execute, and lead with impact.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
01:19 - Retail Leadership Insights with Steve Worthy
01:53 - Walter's Career Journey
06:32 - Key Success Factors in Walter's Career
11:05 - Walter's Career Pivot
11:19 - Transitioning from Corporate to Consulting
16:55 - The Importance of Honest Communication
20:30 - Causes of Stockouts in Retail
24:25 - How Friction Leads to Improvement
27:10 - Effective Communication from Store to Corporate
29:50 - Addressing Friction Between Home Office and Stores
34:33 - Strategies for Retail Leaders
38:41 - Career Programs vs. Job Opportunities
43:20 - Understanding the Enneagram in Leadership
47:58 - Future Trends in Retail
51:40 - The Need for Malls in the Future
54:30 - Advice for Aspiring Retail Leaders
56:48 - Connecting with Mickey
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Thanks for listening!
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