“I was such a diversity advocate and I thought that if the company was going to embrace diversity, it needed to start with me.”
— Esi Eggleston Bracey

Unilever, a global consumer goods company, is renowned for its extensive portfolio of well-known brands that touch the lives of millions worldwide. Through its unwavering focus on creating a brighter future, Unilever continues to shape the global market and positively impact communities around the globe. Get ready to dive back into the secrets behind Unilever's success in this throwback episode of the Speed of Culture Podcast.

In this episode, Matt Britton is joined by Esi Eggleston Bracey, President of Unilever USA and CEO of Unilever Personal Care, North America, as she shares insights on how to inspire greatness in yourself and for your company, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, taking risks, and balancing profit with purpose.

Here are some top takeaways from the insightful conversation:

• Authenticity and Diversity: Esi highlights the power of authenticity and diversity in achieving success in the corporate world. She shares that embracing her true identity and openly expressing her diversity was a game-changer in her career. She urges others to know themselves, be themselves, and share themselves with others, emphasizing the importance of being comfortable with vulnerability.  

• Leadership in Mergers: Esi shares her experience leading the merger of P&G and Coty Specialty Beauty Business. She describes it as a dynamic, exciting, and personally growthful experience. She underscores the importance of understanding the differences between a merger of equals and an acquisition, dealing with egos, and bringing together diverse teams to create a successful and unified new company.  

• Importance of Breaks and Purpose: Esi discusses the significance of taking breaks and finding purpose in one's career. Bracey shares her experience of moving to Switzerland and taking a sabbatical, two decisions that she termed as daunting but profoundly impactful. These experiences allowed her to reflect and reset, ultimately leading her to Unilever. She emphasizes the importance of introspection and learning to say 'yes' when you're scared and 'no' when you're clear,' all of which have enabled her to find her purpose and take on new challenges.

• Balancing Profit and Purpose: Unilever is constantly adapting to emerging wellness trends and harmonizing them with its product lines. Esi shares her leadership mantra, which revolves around creating clarity of strategy and breaking barriers to facilitate growth. She stresses the importance of intertwining brand value and social responsibility, as evidenced by the Helmets mayonnaise Super Bowl ad. Finally, she highlights the power of authenticity and storytelling as key elements of success in any industry.