Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy
Retail leadership isn’t what it used to be — and neither are you. After 30+ years of navigating the realities of store floors, boardrooms, restructures, and reinventions, I’ve learned this: the gap between what retail leaders need to grow and what companies actually provide is wider than ever. Promotions don’t come with clarity. Expectations rise, but context disappears. And while the metrics may shift, the pressure never does. This podcast is for the retail leader who's already proven themselves — and still wants more. This podcast is for the experienced retail leader who wants more — not more work, but more direction, more insight, and more impact. I'm Steve Worthy — retail executive coach and founder of Worthy Retail Global. I’ve coached and developed thousands of leaders over three decades, and I created this podcast to give you the straight, strategic guidance I wish I had earlier in my career. You’ve earned your position. Now let’s make sure you lead like it.
Episodes
Everyone’s talking about AI, but few retail leaders are asking the deeper question:
Is your company truly AI-ready—or just overwhelmed with data?
In this episode, I sit down with, Abhijit Patharkar, the co-founder of Nexlytix to unpack the unspoken barriers to effective AI in retail: siloed systems, misaligned storytelling, broken decision-making, and the myth that more dashboards mean more clarity.
We cover:
- Wha...
What if your customer feedback system could make you a better leader—not just improve your metrics?
In this episode of Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy, we’re joined by Eric Sangerma, Head of Growth at Simplesat—the customer feedback platform trusted by brands around the world.
Simplesat helps retail leaders capture, interpret, and act on customer sentiment in real time. But Eric’s philosophy goes even deeper. He bel...
Some stores just stop you.
You walk in, and for a moment—maybe longer—you forget you're in a place built to sell. You're in something more. A feeling. A point of view. A brand that knows who it is.
This episode is a love letter to those stores—and the people who know how to spot them.
Steve sits down with two of his favorite retail minds (and friends), Jack Stratton and Ian Scott, for a fast-moving conversation...
Many retail leaders operate with a limited perspective, often assuming that their market’s approach is the gold standard. But in a world where consumer behaviors, technology, and retail strategies vary dramatically by region, leaders who fail to think globally risk falling behind.
The challenge isn’t just understanding different markets—it’s learning how to apply global insights in a way that drives innovati...
AI is transforming retail at an unprecedented pace, and in this episode of Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy, we explore what leaders need to know now.
From sneaker culture to digital transformation, Jenna Flatman Posner shares how her background as an elite athlete shaped her approach to leadership, strategy, and innovation.
We break down AI’s real impact in retail—cutting through the hype to re...
When Retail Stops Growing You, What’s Next?
No one tells you what happens when you outgrow your company.
You hit every metric, you do everything right, and yet the growth stops. Your company still expects results, but they’re not developing you. They’re not stretching you. And if you’re being honest, you’re starting to feel it.
The hard truth? Most senior leaders won’t admit when they’ve hit this wall. They keep showing ...
Retail leaders talk about innovation, but are they solving the right problems? Too often, companies chase the latest trends—AI, automation, new products—without stepping back to ask: What actually drives transformation?
In this episode of Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy, we sit down with Matt Mueller, innovation strategist and author of The Mindful Innovator, to discuss his upcoming Campus Masterclass: Master the F...
Retail is more complicated than it needs to be, and in this episode of Retail Leadership with Steve Worthy, we cut through the noise with Walter Holbrook, a seasoned retail executive with over 60 years of experience—from stockroom to boardroom.
Walter shares the hard truths about leadership, execution, and why common sense is missing in today’s retail landscape. He challenges leaders to rethink how they approach hirin...
In today's episode, titled "HQ vs. Store: Bridging the Divide," we finish our two-part series - Everything Works at HQ!
- What can HQ learn from stores?
- Why is developing a common language between HQ and stores crucial for successful communication and relationship-building?
- What strategies can stores implement to better listen and execute the corporate strategy delivered by HQ?
We're g...
US vs THEM!
This battle in retail has been in existence since Retail began.
US - Stores vs THEM - Home Office.
Why can’t they see eye to eye?
What has hindered these two teams from establishing a mutually beneficial and successful relationship?
This two-part series - Everything Works at HQ. Part one titled “What HQ can learn from Stores”, is a candid exploration of the oft-overlooked wisdom that ou...
Pick up your book: The Retail Leader's Roadmap! HERE!
What's up, my friend? You're in for a real treat with this episode featuring Brian. We're going deep into the nitty gritty details of his proven blueprint for accelerating your career growth as a retail leader.
Right off the bat, Brian opens up about the profound influence his father had on instilling that insatiable drive to o...
Meet Kimberly Lee Minor, a dynamic force in retail leadership with over 25 years of industry experience. She's held pivotal roles in renowned organizations like Footlocker Global, London Fog, and Bath & Body Works. Currently serving as CEO of Bumbershoot, LLC, Kimberly's expertise lies in providing cultural and market insights for inclusive, equitable, and diverse representation across brand, content, pr...
Who says you can't be the hero in your own retail leadership journey? I remember the days of feeling overlooked in the bustling world of retail, unsure how to break through the noise. Now, as your guide, I'll take you through the valleys and peaks of leadership in the retail space. This heartfelt session is designed to acknowledge your fears and aspirations as we explore the often ignored yet remarkable adap...
Ready to revolutionize your retail leadership skills? Trust us, you don't want to miss this insightful discussion as we uncover seven transformative leadership lessons from the hit TV show, Ted Lasso. We promise that embracing these principles will not only elevate your impact on your team, but will also boost the profitability of your stores, and catapult your retail career to new heights.
What if you c...
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Worthy Retail News
Are you ready to elevate your retail leadership skills to the next level? In today's episode, we're dissecting the crucial elements of successful leadership - time, support, and capacity.
We'll guide you through five transformative areas to enhance your leadership prowess: amplify your retainability, decode feedback, craft a robust retention bl...
You've recently been promoted. You’re a new leader in a new market. Are you really ready for this major change?
Listen in as we discuss the challenges and tips for new leaders in a new market, emphasizing the importance of assessing the market, understanding competition, building relationships, simplifying communication, and creating a positive culture!
Key Highlights:
[01:45] It’s a big deal when you...
Here’s part two of our episode on Why Retail Leaders Get Promoted.
We discuss the importance of strategic communication, authority, knowledge, and value articulation in advancing to the position of retail leader. Stay tuned!
Key Highlights:
[03:23] Your communication needs to be strategic.
[05:00] Building authority and knowledge is key to successful retail leadership
[13:35] Who on your team would you take...
Do you want to know the secret weapon of good leaders? How are they able to lead and guide their whole team to success? The answer lies in understanding their personality.
In this episode learn more about the Enneagram and how it can help you get to know your team better so you can lead them better. Stay tuned!
Key Highlights:
[00:01] Every good leader has a secret weapon
[01:44] The best way to lead people is...
Have you ever missed out on a promotion? Ever wondered why your management hasn't noticed your efforts? Before you jump to conclusions, listen in as we look at the reasons why leaders don't get promoted. You might learn a thing or two!
Key Highlights
[00:01] Getting passed over for a promotion
[02:07] Why many retail workers are looking for new jobs right now
[04:52] Are you ready for the promoti...
What are you doing in your life right now to leave a lasting legacy?
As retail leaders, we are often so focused on our daily responsibilities that we fail to consider the long-term impact we may have on others, particularly our team.
Listen in and learn as we talk about the Law of Legacy!
Key Highlights:
[00:01] How your legacy is being developed and curated daily
[02:05] Do you need to be liked ...
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