Kathy Casey
VP, Marketing & Trade Promotion,
Kellogg Company
More From Kathy
On traveling with her family:
“My husband and I started scuba diving about 20 years ago before we were even married. We’re not big believers in going with organized groups. We think it’s more fun and adventuresome to go out on our own. I think that travel is a great source of education for both myself, as well as for my son. It really helps change your perspective when you see things outside of your area.”
On the importance of sports:
“I learned more in high school playing sports than I ever learned in a classroom—being on teams you get many of the key competencies to be successful in work: winning, losing, right, wrong, discipline, sacrifice, and humility. Plus kids in high school that play sports invest their energy in healthier ways than kids that don’t.”
On the 'sandwich method':
“When giving feedback to employees, I use what I like to call the ‘sandwich method’. First tell them something good, then tell them something bad in the middle, and then tell them something good again. I find it’s more balanced that way.”
On telling the truth:
“I like and am committed to telling the truth because if you do, you never have to remember what you said!”
Kathleen's Strategies for Living with Purpose
Don’t pack your work in your suitcase.
“When you take a vacation, take it! The work will all be there when you get back. You’ll be more refreshed, and have more energy when you come back if you don’t take your work with you. When I am on vacation, I do not check e-mail or voicemail. And when a colleague or team member goes away, I say, ‘Put my name and number on your voicemail, and go on vacation. We got it covered. Go and take the time you need.”
Show up with intention.
“The person who shows up for work everyday, with the intent to contribute—that’s the person who is going to deliver consistent, reliable results. I try to show up on purpose and with purpose every day ready to do the best work possible. If I have to invest x number of hours at the office, I want to feel like I’m having an impact and making a difference, then it’s time well-spent.”
Adopt a sense of humor.
“As the middle child of five siblings, I naturally learned how to be the negotiator and fence mender. One great way to get through difficult situations is with humor. My father taught us to work hard, but not to take life too seriously, and I remember spending much of my childhood laughing with my family. That upbringing comes in handy now when tense conflicts arise or when I have to deliver an unpleasant message at work.”
Stick to your core values.
“I read this great book by Barbara McFarland called The Balanced Life. She addresses work-life balance and believes it’s all about assessing and understanding your core values. If you make decisions in all areas of your life that are consistent with your values, then you won’t feel guilt, conflict, or stress. Some days I’m at a fourth grade band concert, and some days I’m at the office at seven at night; but wherever I am I’m intentionally there so I can fully engage in each situation.”
Live With Purpose
January 2010
Just a few months ago Kathy Casey took on the Chicago Triathlon, one of the biggest, most popular tri-races. Swimming .93 miles, biking 24.8 miles, and running 6.2 miles was a daunting goal, but she was ready and up for the challenge. “I’m one of those crazy people who actually thinks it’s fun to work out,” laughs Kathy, "so training was something I looked forward to each day.” Her workouts serve a multifaceted purpose. “I have one child and he’s ten years old. I want to be there for him and live as long as I can with the highest quality of life possible; so I know I need to take care of myself,” she says. Exercising also helps Kathy make better decisions at work, it decreases her stress, and as a busy mom it gives her the rare chance to spend time with one of her best friends, who trained alongside her for the tri.
Committing to such an ambitious goal has taught Kathy valuable lessons which have helped her succeed in the workplace. “Training for something like a tri means you have to build a plan, execute it, and stay the course. You also have to be prepared to break through barriers, and that requires you to stay disciplined.” In order to motivate herself when things get tough, Kathy keeps her eye on the finish line and focuses on the sense of accomplishment she’ll feel when it’s all over. “That half hour or hour is going to pass whether I workout or not, so I might as well use it productively”, she says. And she follows that same philosophy when motivating others. When colleagues come into her office and ask what she thinks of them going back to grad school, for example, she urges them to go, “because those two years are going to come and go and you can either spend them getting an education or not.”
Strategy For Success: Adapt to Change
Strategy For Success: Celebrate Your Achievements
Strategy For Success: Raise Your Hand
Strategy For Success: Be Accountable