‘Take the call when it comes’ and other takeaways from the top job

By Sachin Waikar

Last month, Kellogg hosted the Professor Speaker series, featuring faculty panelists who’ve been CEOs for major organizations, along with a special current top-executive guest. Organized and moderated by the Kellogg Student Association, the event offered experiences and insights from panelists’ career journeys to help student attendees shape and navigate their own professional paths.

Panelists included Mary Dillon, CEO of Footlocker and former CEO and chair of Ulta Beauty; Rob Apatoff, executive director of the Northwestern/Kellogg Executive Leadership Institute and former FTD Worldwide CEO; Carter Cast, clinical professor of entrepreneurship and former Walmart.com CEO; and Harry Kraemer, clinical professor of leadership and former Baxter CEO and Chair.

Here are six takeaways from the enriching conversation:

Take the call when it comes. The panel discussed the value of being deliberate but also spontaneous about career decisions, such as being open to unexpected opportunities. “For me it was learning about my ambition and where I wanted to go with it,” Dillon says. Cast says, “Take the call because it might lead to something wonderful.” Apatoff lived that by jumping at offers to work at Anheuser Busch, Reebok, and eventually Kellogg. “I had no formal plan, but if you take the right risks, things can work out well,” he says. 

Know yourself. Everyone agreed it’s critical to know what drives you, career-wise. “Take the time to figure out what really matters to you,” Kraemer says. “I wanted to learn, add value, and have fun.” Dillon knew she was driven from the start but urges young professionals to “look for the right thing at the right time. And whatever you do, go in with confidence and humility.” Values matter, too; Apatoff left an executive role earlier than expected when he realized the organization’s values didn’t match his own.

Lead with empathy. Professional success relies heavily on how well rising leaders connect with others. “It’s about bringing other people along,” Cast says. Dillon, who has worked numerous part-time jobs throughout college including as a restaurant server, says, “You can’t fake respect for others. They want you to listen to them and value their ideas.” Kraemer suggests, “How well you relate to people very different from you determines whether you can create an environment where the best people want to work with you.”

Mentors matter. The panelists have all benefited from mentors along the way and serve as mentors to others, but they agree there’s no single formula for finding inspiration from such guides. “Coaching is critical. I love to help develop people,” Dillon says. Kraemer says, “People think you need one or two mentors but try to collect information from lots of people.” Apatoff adds, “It can’t be a one-way street. You have to be willing to help those who help you.”

Seek balance. Professional advancement can come at personal cost, especially as responsibility and accountability mount. “There will be jobs and times without much balance, like a turnaround,” Apatoff says. “But it’s about working to get back to more balance.” Kraemer suggests making tradeoffs that matter: “I haven’t watched TV in 35 years or played golf in decades because I value time with family.” For Cast, time with family, exercise and meditation are “non-negotiables.”

Take the right risks. Dillon described weighing risks such as whether to move her family overseas for an executive role and wielding influence strategically as global CMO of McDonald’s to improve the healthfulness of kids’ menu options. “Go for the big tests and be the best possible leader you can be,” she says. Kraemer adds, “Progress requires risk, and you learn the most when you fail — but try not to do it a lot!” Cast agrees: “Experience, including failure makes you smarter. Maintain a growth mindset.”