Are you tired of being the person who always needs direction, or are you exhausted from giving your team direction?

In this episode with Melanie Huet, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), you’ll discover how to become a self-starter at work.

Self-starters take action in their work day and their career to improve and grow. Most people are used to getting told what they need to do but that's not the way it has to be. You can learn how to take charge of your own career.

Serta Simmons Bedding is the largest manufacturer and distributor of mattresses in North America, and Melanie Huet directs several functions including Sales, Marketing, Innovation, Insights and Trade Marketing.

She is leading a full business transformation at SSB catapulting a 150 year old industry leader into a digital powerhouse that continues to lead the market in delivering breakthrough innovation.

Prior to joining SSB, Melanie spent over 15 years in consumer-packaged goods leading global businesses like Huggies, Pull-Ups, Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, Hellmann’s, and Lipton Tea at blue chip companies such as Unilever, Kraft Heinz and Kimberly-Clark.

Melanie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melhuet/

WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Melanie’s experience having an executive coach and why she makes that investment in herself.
• Her first job working in a video rental…. taking take of the small things.
• How to become the your boss’ favorite employee…. listening.
• Advice for leaders who feel they aren’t getting promoted quickly enough.
• Why to get promoted you must “know the game you’re playing”.
• The key leadership lesson Melanie learned managing Kool Aid at Kraft Heinz.
• The big thing that makes Serta Simmons so special.
• The one trait you wish you could instill in every employee... self-starter!
• Why you can have new ideas even if you’re of the “old school”.
• Sleep strategies from a sleep company.
• The unexpected twist that led to her growth.
• Work-life balance tips.
• Why Melanie is a believer in self reflection, and how you can do it.
• Two big strategies for getting promoted.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Things that might help you when working with difficult bosses:

• Listening.
• Trying to understand what they want.
• Going an extra mile.

QUOTES:

On having an executive coach “It’s humbling.”

“Take pride in your work no matter how small the job is.”

“Do work you love and work with people you like.”

“Be open to feedback.”

“Know the game that you’re playing.”

RESOURCES:

The Pyramid Principle

Say it with Charts

Toastmasters

Business Wars

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