Indra Nooyi, a force of nature, leads Civility in American into its 11th year

 Wow!.......Awesome!......

That’s how I have to describe last night’s dialog conducted by Bob Dilenshneider and hosted by Stamford’s Ferguson Library in front of a live socially distanced audience and a remote one on zoom one as well. 

Bob, one of the initiators of this series (along with other sponsors) was very much in command as he ‘peppered’  Ms. Nooyi  with a series of short questions. All were based on her book, Life in Full: Work, Family and our Future.

Indra Nooyi

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia 

Miss Indra Nooyi, born in Tamil Nadu, India rose to become the CEO of PepsiCo, the first woman of color and immigrant to run a Fortune 50 Company. 

The program will be posted shortly on the Ferguson Library Website.

Here’s  my brief  takeaway in what was a ‘whirlwind’ covering many subjects. 

!. To be a leader (she teaches a course in leadership at U.S Military Academy at West Point)one must be a follower.  To listen to others requires a large dose of humility. 

2. Company strategy must emphasize sustainability in the workplace as well as in the environment. Companies must seek out and foster talent that is rooted in integrity. She discussed the Pepsico acquisition of Quaker Oats (including gatorade and its emphasis on natural foods), the company shift to solar, and  the recycling of plastic waste and employing hybrid vehicles. 

3. Above all, she kept emphasizing the primacy of the family structure. Parents must find the time, harness the energy and resources on rearing their kids.

On a more personal note, I chatted briefly with Bob before the program and he remarked how much Stamford has grown with so many young professionals moving in as well as saying  ‘we are all young’ meaning he plans to continue this program for many years to come. 

At the end of the meeting I chatted with former Connecticut congressman  Chris Shays who was eager to hear the question I wanted to ask. I told him I wanted to know her opinions on what, if any, corporate responsibility should be for arresting the serious global climate change. His comment: ‘great question.’