150 years strong: How Campbell’s is investing in leadership to drive growth and innovation

Campbell's leadership believes that leaders are developed, not born, and that leadership development is crucial for organizational growth. With a 150-year legacy, the company aimed to elevate its leadership to unlock the next level of success. They partnered with McKinsey for this significant investment in leadership development, emphasizing its strategic importance and focus on impact. McKinsey's approach was collaborative, deeply understanding Campbell's people, culture, and values rather than offering a generic solution. To address initial skepticism, Campbell involved a cross-functional group of leaders in the program's design. Participants recognized the initiative as more than just training, highlighting its community aspect and the provision of skills and tools for future application. A key takeaway was the power of engaging existing leaders as teachers within the program. This fostered a sense of shared learning and responsibility. The program equipped leaders with skills to inspire a growth mindset and guide their teams' career journeys. The demand for the program grew organically, shifting from a push to a pull as employees actively sought participation. The development initiative has already shown tangible results, with nearly 1,200 employees trained across all levels, from frontline staff to the C-suite, accumulating 680 hours of training and achieving a 95 net promoter score. The program's success has also garnered external recognition, with Campbell being named one of America's best companies for future leaders by Time magazine. Campbell sees its leaders as instrumental in shaping the company's future and driving it forward for the next 150 years.