3 Ways To Be A Better Leader, According To American Express Executive Denise Pickett

There are so many ways to become a better leader. From mentoring and sponsoring young professionals to taking advice from other people in leadership, good leaders are open to learning every day. That’s an important part of leadership according to Denise Pickett, the president of the Global Services Group at American Express. She has been with the Fortune 500 company for over thirty years. But she isn’t just another high achieving corporate leader. According to her long-time colleague Anré Williams, Pickett has been an example of what it means to lead with purpose.

“I’ve known and worked with Denise for over twenty five years. She has always championed creating an inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard and all feel valued. Her passion for being an inspiring people leader has set a high standard within our company,” said Willams, who is the CEO of American Express National Bank and group president of enterprise services at American Express.

Like her colleagues at American Express, Pickett is on a mission to encourage and help women in corporate roles thrive. As a female leader she believes it’s crucial that women uplift and support one another endlessly. It’s important to note that the Toronto native has felt very supported by American Express as a woman in leadership. According to data provided by American Express, 40.5% of their senior vice presidents and above are women and 44% of the company’s sixteen officers are women. I spoke with global enterprise leader Denise Pickett about three ways to become a better leader.

Learn From Other Leaders

When it comes to professional development there is always room for improvement. Even leaders should be open to learning from their employers, colleagues, and other leaders. Pickett believes professionals should be open to learning at all times.

“I think it’s on the job training. My dad had a manufacturing job. He learned and watched other people do it. Leadership is no different,” she said. “It starts when you have that first direct report and you’re a manager, then as you move in your career and you get more responsibility, you learn to lead others. I went from having my first direct report thirty years ago to now 37,000 people. I have to make sure I’m leading people well,” she told me.

The experienced business leader thinks everyone should be open to learning at any stage of their career, but especially when you are just getting started. “It’s about learning from all of the people that are your sponsors, that are advocating for you, and that you work for. As a woman leader, I set an example for other women. I take that role seriously, which is why I lead our Global Women’s Interest Network,” Pickett said.

Mentor Young Professionals

One of the best ways to become a better leader is to assist young people with developing professional and personal goals. Mentorship doesn’t have to be tedious. It could just be a monthly half hour Zoom call to discuss future goals, work stressors, and how to leave a job in a professional manner. For Pickett, having mentors has been life changing.

“I have been very fortunate to have both mentors and sponsors at American Express. I looked for that early in my career. I looked for people that would guide and help me. I even went externally to seek that guidance,” she said. She specifically mentioned one person who helped her with all things career development.

“Early in my career there was a woman named Judy Elder I knew from the industry in Toronto. She mentored me around getting involved in the marketing industry early in my career. She gave this wonderful speech and it really stuck with me about being ambitious for yourself and being ambitious for others,” she told me.

Advocate For Inclusion

Pickett believes companies benefit from having employee resource groups (ERGs), also known as affinity groups. At American Express these cultural groups are called colleague networks. “We have fourteen colleague networks at American Express. Our women’s interest network is one of those. The Women’s Interest Network is the largest network at American Express. We have twenty chapters in sixteen different countries. It’s about making sure that we’re talking about leadership, the community, and ambition,” she said.

American Express is one of many prominent companies that has employee resources groups, culturally conscious events, and a solid diversity statement. But not all large companies with diversity efforts and initiatives are psychologically safe for people from underrepresented groups. Part of advocating for inclusion means creating safe spaces for employees from all walks of life.

Pickett made it clear that she’s felt very supported by colleagues and leaders at American Express over the past thirty years. That is partially due to being able to be her authentic self. She thinks everyone should work somewhere that advocates for inclusion but also gives people the liberty to be true to themselves. “Let folks be their authentic selves. I think that’s even more important than it was earlier in my career. I see how important that is today. The other thing about inclusive leadership is respecting different perspectives,” she told me.

Inclusive leadership matters year round. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, remember that the voices, stories, and contributions of female leaders should be recognized year round. Female executives like Pickett have opened doors for women who want to work in leadership. So, now you’ve seen what it takes to become a better leader. Don’t forget that if you are a corporate leader you are likely in a place of privilege. People in leadership should use their knowledge and power to make the workplace more inclusive, open-minded, and psychological safe.