Whole Foods founder John Mackey doesn’t follow business plans

Worklife with Adam Grant

TED

Management, Worklife Podcast, Worklife With Adam Grant, Work Life Balance, Ted Talks, Podcast About Work Life, Ted Adam Grant, Adam Grant Podcasts, Ted Podcasts, Adam Grant, Organizational Psychologist, Business

4.8 • 9.4K Ratings

🗓️ 6 June 2023

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When John Mackey co-founded Whole Foods, he didn’t consider himself an entrepreneur. But after 42 years of leading the company – and spearheading its sale to Amazon – Mackey has proven that a business with purpose can succeed and scale. John speaks with Adam at an Authors@Wharton live event about his Whole Foods journey, from living in his first store to selling the company. They discuss the pros and cons of 5-year plans, strategies for staying flexible and adaptable, and the role of passion in a career. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Ted Audio Collective
0:07.8	Hey there, are you looking for something to inspire you this summer?
0:11.3	Check out TedTalksDaily, the podcast that brings you fresh TedTalks every weekday.
0:16.0	From Tiktok's CEO, Sho Choo, to actress, Gilleship de Farhani, you will hear first-hand from
0:22.0	people whose ideas are changing the way we live.
0:24.9	These talks will challenge you, spark your curiosity, and maybe even change the way you
0:28.8	see the world.
0:29.8	Don't miss out on the inspiration, knowledge, and new perspectives.
0:33.9	Tune in to TedTalksDaily, wherever you get your podcasts.
0:37.6	Hey everyone, it's Adam Graham.
0:42.8	Welcome back to Rethinking, by podcast on the Science of What Makes Us Tick.
0:47.1	I'm an organizational psychologist, and I'm taking you inside the minds of fascinating
0:50.9	people to explore new thoughts and new ways of thinking.
0:58.0	My guest today is John Mackie, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods from 1980 to 2022.
1:05.0	He built the company from the ground up and led it through its 2017 sale to Amazon.
1:09.5	He's also been a proponent of conscious capitalism, building businesses that are good for people
1:14.5	and the planet.
1:16.5	This conversation was recorded live at the Authors at Wharton series.
1:20.4	John and I talked leadership, mission, culture, and learning.
1:24.4	And along with making you think, we might make you laugh.
1:31.4	Welcome John Mackie to Authors at Wharton.
1:33.8	Why are you here?
	...

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