Don Soderquist helped build Walmart from a regional retail chain into the largest company in the world. He said something the other day that threw me for a loop: "Great leaders really don't do much."

1. HOW TO BE A
GREAT LEADER...
DON’T DO
ANYTHING

2. Don Soderquist
is one of
my heroes.

3. He helped build
Walmart from a
regional retail chain
into the
largest company
in the world.

4. And I get to
work with
him here at
The Soderquist
Center.

5. He said
something
the other day
that threw me
for a loop...

6. “Great
leaders
really
don’t do
much.”

7. That’s a weird
thing to say...

8. These were
NOT
easy words for
me to hear.

9. As a creative
person at heart,
my passion is to
create...

10. As a creative
person at heart,
my passion is to
create...
...to do.

11. Creating is like a
drug to me.

12. The more
I create,

13. The more
I create,
the more
FULFILLED
I am.

14. I’ve been this way
my entire life.

15. But as our team grows

16. But as our team grows

17. But as our team grows

18. and as my role
on the team shifts
more from
“DOER”

19. and as my role
on the team shifts
more from
“DOER”
to
“LEADER”

20. I’m beginning to
understand what
he meant.

21. Great leaders
learn how to
“DO”
through others.

22. THEY LEARN HOW TO
multiply their efforts

23. THEY LEARN HOW TO
multiply their efforts
multiply their efforts
multiply their efforts
multiply their efforts

24. by surrounding
themselves with a team
of people who are
much smarter
& more talented
than they are.

25. I’m learning
that being a
great leader
requires
things.
5

26. Casting an
inspiring vision,
something
people want to
accomplish.
1

27. Making sure
people have
the resources
they need.
2

28. Getting out
of the way
for a while.
3

29. Following
up to make
sure things
are on track.
4

30. Developing
people to “do”
well, and then to
lead others well.
5

31. The cool thing
that I’m starting
to realize is
with good leadership
people can do
amazing things.

32. They can do things
I could NEVER do.

33. And they can do
MORE of it
because there are
MORE of them than
there are of me.

34. I don’t have it all
figured out yet,
but it’s one more step
in the right direction.

35. Thanks
Mr. Soderquist.

36. soderquist.org