If I Were 22, I'd Dream Big & Work Hard

As the first woman to lead Campbell in our 147-year history, I strive to set an example and help the next generation open doors of opportunity.  It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was 22, a year post-graduation from Boston College, and in my first job with P&G sales.  When I talk to today’s rising leaders, here are three pieces of advice I always offer.

1. Believe in yourself, declare it – and then work hard!  Set your goal, say it out loud, and then do what needs to be done to reach it. Map out a strategic career plan of where you’ve been, where you are, where you’re going, and who can help you get there. For me, to achieve my lifelong dream of leading a company meant I set high goals, and I was willing to put in the time and the energy to do what was necessary not only to get there, but also to be successful. The thought of failure never crossed my mind.  I encourage you to embrace that same combination of faith and fortitude to reach your own dreams.
2. Create a personal mission statement. Don’t wait 20 years like I did – do it now. Mine was inspired by Steven Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” in which he advises: “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most.” In the early 1990s, I spent one intense weekend thinking about my parents and how they taught me the importance of giving back to others; the lessons I learned at Boston College about compassion, ethics, integrity and service; and my experiences, as a wife, as a mother of two daughters, and as a business executive. By the end of the weekend, I had completed my personal mission statement, which continues to be my compass: “To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.” What’s yours?
3. Networking is working. Working hard and delivering results are rites of passage, but you need to build and leverage strong relationships to travel the rest of the way. Networking is very strategic when done right – it is not fooling around.  Seeking out sponsors and mentors is a sign of strength and confidence – not weakness. The best sponsors and mentors are people with ethics and integrity who help you think not just about the present, but also about your future. In fact, it was a mentor who taught me this important lesson. He sat me down early in my career and said, “Denise, people see you coming. You are so focused on delivering results that you’re missing the chance to connect.” It was hard feedback, but it marked an important milestone in my career. The main issue was really how important it was to take the time to build constructive relationships. I learned to cultivate relationships with colleagues who were willing to share their knowledge, provide coaching and direction, and give me assignments that stretched my talent.

For me, the common thread in my career and my life is that I have stayed true to the ideals, principles, and values that my parents instilled in me. When I learned in 2011 that I would become CEO of Campbell, I called my parents and said: “Mom, Dad, I did it… I was appointed CEO of Campbell – the achievement of a life goal!”

There was a pause, and then my Dad said, “That’s great, Denise, we are so proud of you. So, what’s your next goal?”

I said, “To build a great company.” Step by step, we’re doing that at Campbell, and I’m so proud and honored to be leading our great company. It’s my dream come true.

So to the 22-year-olds of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I encourage you to dare to dream, have a mission and a plan, never give up, and seek out the relationships that will truly help you soar.

#IfIWere22