Have Whole Foods got it right?

Emotionally involved leadership is the order of the day at Whole Foods. But, whilst the UK may wince at this idea, the success of this wholly American business may convince you otherwise. Have Whole Foods got it right?

The BBC have reported on a management style that sounds a little zany from the outset. However, once John Mackey, CEO and founder of Whole Foods, begins to explain his reasoning’s behind these management policies, it suddenly begins to make perfect sense.

Mackey explains that a workforce that is emotionally involved in each other and the store, are much more trusting of each other. He himself likes to spend time outside of the office with his employees and partake in far more homely activities than heading to the local bar. Making an evening meal and even staying at their houses together are activities he says that he likes to do! Mackey says that this sort of personal interaction prevents employees from compartmentalising their lives, and allows everyone to see how work can positively affect your personal life and vice versa. The aim of blurring this line is to ensure his staff see that they are valued on a personal level, and then they can see exactly how this translates to the work place: work should be more than just a pay cheque at Whole Foods.

In fact, to test just how much you fit in with the Whole Foods team, every new employee begins on a 2 month probation. At the end of this 2 month period, every other employee in the store has to secretly vote in a ballot as to whether they would like you to stay – every new employee must have a yes from at least 2 thirds of the staff to stay on. I can’t help but feel the UK would ban this management style faster than the wind. From a stiffer management style standpoint, this potentially ignores the fact that someone may be a great worker, but perhaps a bit shy. Why shouldn’t someone be allowed to work if they are set apart from the others? However, given the success of Whole Foods on a global level, perhaps it isn’t the unfair dismissal suit waiting to happen that we think it would be? Could it be that this sort of emotionally involved leadership promotes equality in the face of diversity, acceptance and even constant management training for all employees? It must have its perks as Whole Foods has been listed in Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, for the past 17 years in a row!

I wonder if we have something to learn from this CEO, here in the UK. Democratic leadership appears to be the way forward but even the best democracy needs to be kept in line every so often when it comes to making decisions for the greater good. Exactly how would you ensure that new employees are given a fair chance?

We’d like to hear your thoughts on this management style! Let us know via our Linkedin Page: do you think Whole Foods has got it right?

To see the full BBC article, click here