The Courageous Podcast Episode #29: Marisa Thalberg (EVP/Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of Lowe’s)

3:59 - Does Marisa feel like she's a courageous leader?

6:03 - We force Marisa to choose 3 words to describe herself.

6:33 - Her thrill in the workplace: finding ways to win creatively

8:12 - "Psychology is the gameplay for what we do"

9:47 - Marisa shares the power of brands and their role in culture.

10:26 - The role of home today.

12:12 - Marisa explains what delights her about jumping into new verticals.

13:18 - Marisa is adamant about not doing things differently for the sake of doing things differently.

15:34 - Marisa doesn't recommend moving across the country during a global pandemic.

17:40 - One surprise she learned from an economist: residential sales have been stong during this time.

19:51 - "It takes time to build trust and relationships."

21:37 - Work life and home life have come together

22:35 - The importance of keeping the team aligned: Marisa and department are meeting once a week right now.

25:07 - Marisa shares that when she's passionate about the work shes doing she's not afraid to speak up.

26:35 - We remember the inspirational leaders we report into (and the not so good as well).

30:11 - Marisa confides why marketing and the consumer needs it proper seat at the business table.

31:32 - Ad Age hails Lowes as Marketer of the Year

33:31 - Marisa walks us through her reality of making instinctual decisions in 1) a new job, 2) during a pandemic, 3) in the business of home

34:43 - Where courage should and shouldn't play in their business

38:23 - Lowe's win-win-win program: "Plant's Of Purpose"

41:32 - We tak about her work creating Taco Bell's "The Bell" Oasis out in Palm Springs

42:33 - Creating a culture where people are not afraid to bring bold ideas to the table.

45:15 - Once the fundamentals are locked then you can begin to take some creative risks.

46:32 - Marketing isn't all fluff & fun. Marketing brings clarity. Clarity drives focus. Focus is part of strategy.

48:54 - Marisa shares some of her tenets of leadership.

52:05 - What are the things worth fighting for?

53:51 - Why did the "Bell Hotel" make business sense at the time?

58:47 - Marisa gives a quick shout out and explanation to "Executive Mom's" which she founded 18 years ago.

1:01:26 - The importance of staying compassionate through all of this challenge and change.