PepsiCo’s Steven Williams: "Attitude Determines Altitude"
In this inspiring episode of the Power to Persist, host Lamell McMorris sits down in the basement of his childhood home on the South Side of Chicago with global business leader Steven Williams, Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman, and Global Chief Commercial Officer at PepsiCo. Williams shares his remarkable journey from being the youngest of nine children in small-town Haskell, Oklahoma, to guiding one of the world's most iconic consumer brands. He reflects on his early years stocking grocery shelves, lessons learned from his father, and how staying grounded in core values enabled him to navigate 29 years and over 15 distinct roles within PepsiCo while driving initiatives like Southern Dallas Thrives and community restaurant accelerators.
Throughout their discussion, Williams and McMorris illustrate how adopting key leadership practices opens doors to long-term success. Williams demonstrates dogged determination by taking on the toughest corporate assignments, embracing high-risk challenges, and proving that where you start does not define how far you can go. He models the agility of introspection by maintaining a growth mindset, continually adapting his style to be effective whether on a factory dock or in a board room, and learning from every career pivot. Above all, Williams highlights the power of building a network, emphasizing that performance gets you noticed, but establishing trusted, reciprocal relationships serves as an essential safety net and airbag when navigating the realities of corporate leadership.
