When you're truly authentic, a lot of good things happen. Everybody doesn't like you. Let's just state that for the record. A lot of people won't like you when you're authentic, and that's why most people aren't authentic because they're worried people won't like them. But the thing is, the people that like you, they really like you for who you are, and not for who you're pretending to be.

Welcome to How Leaders Lead, where every week you get to listen in while I interview

some of the very best leaders in the world. I break down the key learning so that by the

end of the episode, you'll have something simple you can apply as you

develop into a better leader. That's what this podcast is all about. As a leader, you know,

there's often tension between the big ideas and dreams you have and the pressure you feel

to conform to convention or other people's expectations of you.

So how do you navigate that tension?

Well, I can't think of a better person to shed some light on that big question than my guest

today.

John Mackey is the co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods, which has got to be one of the most

compelling retail success stories

in recent memory. But as you'll hear today, building it wasn't easy, and it wouldn't have

happened at all if John had caved to the expectations and conventions around him instead of

following his own path. Every leader needs to find their own path and follow it.

And when you have the courage to follow yours,

you can make some big things happen.

This episode is going to inspire you to do just that.

I guarantee it.

So here's my conversation with my good friend and soon to be yours, John Mackey.

You know, you built this incredible multi-billion dollar business at Whole Foods,

and you describe the process by using a very specific word. You say it was play. Why do you describe it that way?

...