From the Thursday Luncheon: Retired McDonald's President and CEO Don Thompson offers Insights from His Fortune 100 Journeys

Retired McDonald’s Corporation President and CEO Don Thompson not only discussed the need for leaders to possess integrity, authenticity, intelligence and an inspirational style during the Town Hall luncheon, he demonstrated the traits that propelled his trailblazing career.

 

Gayle V. King, Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer at Nationwide, asked questions that led Thompson to share insights about cultivating mentors, juggling work life balance, managing peer relationships and avoiding actions that derail careers. Throughout the exchange, Thompson’s humor, humility and candor warmed the audience.

 

Raised in Chicago public housing by his grandmother, a woman of faith, Thompson credited her for instilling the values that guided him to become a Fortune 100 CEO.

"She always believed whatever it is, be the best at it," he said. "Her values and integrity helped me navigate through life."

Raised in the church, he grew up treating people as he want to be treated. He was greeted with applause after he told the audience his grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday at his home Saturday. 

 

On the topic of mentors, he cautioned the audience to be clear about what they seek.

"I fear that the word mentor is misused because some people come up and ask me to be a mentor," he said. "I say, 'You don’t know me.’ I think the notion of mentoring truly starts with a relationship. A mentor is not a job coach, a mentor is a life coach. There are a lot of people I have a supporting relationship with." Thompson added be cognizant of who you ask to be mentors. Start off by asking if they have a word of wisdom before you get to that point.

 

Asked about work life balance, he said it doesn’t exist. "But there are priorities you place in your life and there are certain things you have to get done." When he traveled abroad in his former position, he always made it back home for activities involving his children. "I am led by my priorities. My number one is my faith and relationship with Christ." 

 

His next priority was himself. "If I am not right I can’t be right for my family," he said. No. 3 was family and close relationships. "You will get to a point where someone will say ‘Aw negro, you forgot about us," he said to laughter. "But you get to a point where they will understand."  

His next priority was McDonald’s. Prioritization is key and then you try to give the best to each, Thompson said.

"Don’t forget yourself . . . you are at the core focus."

 

The conversation ended after King said "Tell us about your legacy, what do you want people to say about you?"  Thompson‘s response: "That I acted with integrity, he cared, he taught us to be students of the game, to understand the business you are in and how companies are profitable and what do they do." 

 

He also hopes his positive attitude is remembered. "You can be rays of sunshine or a continuous storm cloud." Be the former so that when you come in people have an optimistic sense of what is going to happen, he advised.

Silver Torch Award
The Luncheon also include the presentation of this year's NBMBAA® Silver Torch Award to Comcast NBCUniversal. The award, which honors contributions to the organization by a corporate partner, was accepted by Bill Strahan, Executive Vice President, Human Resources for Comcast Cable.

 

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