Carol Tomé, CEO of UPS, reveals insights into her leadership approach and the challenges of overseeing the company.
In a recent episode of the WSJ Leadership Institute Presents: Leaders, UPS CEO Carol Tomé discussed her focus on prioritizing people over expansion. Tomé, who previously served as CFO of Home Depot until her retirement in 2019, began leading UPS in 2020 after returning from retirement.
Tomé summarized her management strategy with the phrase “Better, not Bigger,” emphasizing the importance of centering leadership around the needs of both customers and employees.
During the interview, she highlighted a surprising aspect of her experience at UPS—despite being a board member since 2003, she felt she had limited knowledge about the company’s inner workings before taking on the CEO role. Her remarks shed light on the disconnect that can sometimes exist between board-level oversight and the day-to-day realities of running a major corporation.
As UPS continues to navigate the complexities of the logistics industry, Tomé’s leadership philosophy may play a crucial role in guiding the company’s future direction.
