Effective Leaders Focus on Values

Jon Luther

Building a strong management team requires an established set of values that is the basis for strategy, decision-making and customer and employee relations, said Dunkin Brands Chairman Jon Luther in SFM’s opening keynote address.

“Leadership is not about power, control or status,” he said. “It’s about taking responsibility and owning the outcomes of your actions, good and bad.” Other attributes he cited included:

HONESTY and TRANSPARENCY: “Be honest with employees and customers, even when you make mistakes. You can always recover from the truth.”

INTEGRITY: “Your personality shows when everyone is looking, but your character shows when no one is looking. Leaders seek to always do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.”

RESPECTFULNESS: “Good leaders have the respect of others, but it doesn’t come with the job title—it is earned. People matter, and if you give other people their dignity, you will gain their respect.”

HUMILITY: “No one achieves success alone,” Luther said. “It’s always about the team. Never lose sight of those who helped along the way, or those who are less fortunate and who are also part of our communities.”

Luther recalled attending the first SFM conference in 1979 and the mentoring influence of early members including Richard Ysmael, Dick Cattani and Neil Reyer.

“Look for nuggets of advice from people you admire,” Luther concluded. “Always ask yourself, How can I adapt this to help my own leadership style. How can I make this work for me?”

Great leaders “innovate and learn to be adventurous,” he said. “They set incredible targets for themselves but know full well they will exceed those targets. Aim high, and see your ideas through to the end.”