Diversity MBA Magazine – Managing Diversity, Executive Leadership Development, Diversity Jobs & Hiring

This is the third post in a series focused on bringing you insights from experienced and successful professionals about what they’ve learned and how they are adapting to the current business climate.

Clara Wong
Senior Vice President, People, Administration & Asset Protection
Wal-Mart China

V Porfano: What characteristics, skills or abilities have you developed that help make you successful as a leader?

CW: There are many leadership skills that I developed over the years. The most important, I believe, include taking and giving feedback, prioritizing, communication, and recognizing people.

V Porfano: Given that many corporations are now recovering from the economic meltdown, what leadership challenges are taking center stage today?

CW: Among many other leadership challenges, managing change is probably the most important challenge that we are facing. As leaders, we are leading the changes, driving the changes and modeling the right behavior in the face of the changes.

V Porfano: What experiences in your career best positioned or prepared you for a global leadership role?

CW: Any experiences that improved my global perspective were most helpful, as they enabled me to strategize and lead in both developing and developed markets.

V Porfano: Did you take risks in your career? If so, what type of risks and how did they prepare you for the unexpected?

CW: Yes, I have been constantly challenged to take on unexpected assignments in my career. I was frequently challenged to take on responsbilities that I was not familiar with. Such assignments made me improve my listening capability, communication skills, and the capability to lead strategically.

Bentonville, AK
2.1 million employees
Founded 1962
CEO: Michael Duke
CDE: Sharon Orlopp
www.walmartstores.com

Among Wal-Mart’s employees are approximately 154,000 Hispanics, 237,000 Blacks, 41,000 Asians, 15,000 Native Americans, 256,000 55 and older, and over 826,000 women. Its board includes women, Blacks and Hispanics, and over half its managers are women and minorities. Its Office of Diversity ensures diversity in associate programs, placement, supplier relations, philanthropic initiatives, and community engagement. In 2003, Wal-Mart introduced leadership seminars for women, and in 2004, for people of color. Officer compensation hinges on attracting/hiring/retaining qualified diversity associates; those not meeting their goals have their bonuses reduced up to 15%. Wal-Mart also recruits talent from schools with significantly diverse students. Some of its accomplishments include sponsoring 625 women entrepreneurs in the Make Mine a Million $ Business Race, helping host the Small Business Boot Camp workshop for the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference, supporting the establishment of the National Hispanic Chamber Leadership Academy, and supporting seminars offered by the Asian American Justice Center.