How Kiwi CEO Greg Foran LOST Walmart $20 Billion... And Became a Hero

In this fascinating extract from our episode with Greg Foran, the former CEO of Walmart US reflects on his time overseeing 1.5 million employees and nearly 5,000 stores - and shares how that experience shaped his leadership at Air New Zealand. He reveals the surreal moment the White House was notified of his appointment, how conversations with icons like Tim Cook and Oprah came about, and the bold decisions that wiped $20B off Walmart’s market cap - all in the name of doing the right thing. Foran also discusses his deep fear of failure, the value of staying close to the front line, and the underrated power of paying people well. Insightful, humble, and packed with behind-the-scenes leadership gems, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in high-stakes decision-making and modern business leadership. 0:00 – Greg Foran’s surreal Walmart CEO appointment 1:19 – “I’ve spoken to the White House” 2:15 – The doors that open after a big title 3:36 – Dinner with Warren Buffett and Oprah moments 4:57 – A unique lens on America through Walmart stores 6:12 – Why frontline work still matters 7:40 – Scale of the job: 1.5 million staff, $400B+ revenue 8:34 – Fear of failure vs. ego in leadership 9:55 – Shareholder events, big stages, and Drew Barrymore 11:30 – Raising wages and losing $20B market cap 12:58 – The board meeting and Walmart family response 14:12 – Losing 600,000 staff a year — and the fix