Greg Foran: CEO of Walmart and Air NZ – Lessons & Insights from a Global Leader

Greg Foran is the CEO of Air New Zealand – and one of the country’s most successful businessmen.

Greg started his career as a shelf-stacker in a Hamilton supermarket. By the age of 20 he was a Woolworths manager and by 48 he was on track to be the next CEO of Woolworths Australia – but was overlooked for the top job.

He pivoted to America via China where he started working his way up the Walmart ladder and in 2014 became the CEO of Walmart US.

As CEO of Walmart US – Greg had 1.5 million staff, 4,600 stores across the country and an annual GDP of 300 billion. This was a Kiwi running America’s biggest retailer.

Then in 2020, Greg left Walmart to move home to New Zealand and took the top job at Air New Zealand… just days before Covid-19 started grounding flights.

This was a fascinating chat – and we think you’ll quickly be able to see why Greg has had the career he’s had.

0:26 Is Greg Foran a Hambassador?
2:40 Greg on Kieran Foran and rugby league
5:09 Greg’s morning routine
11:53 A thirst for knowledge
14:47 Foundations of a strong work ethic
19:41 Falling in love with retail
23:50 Missing out on CEO after 30 years of Woolworths
28:02 On to Walmart China
35:21 Not in the handbook: A series of unreal stories from China
43:40 Opening doors at Walmart USA
51:19 Implementing change at Walmart USA
58:25 The art of inviting feedback
1:07:18 Mass shooting: the realities of working in USA
1:13:49 Arriving at Air New Zealand
1:24:55 Reflecting on the aviation industry
1:30:00 Leading by example
1:35:02 Nelson Mandela: 8 Lessons on Leadership
1:39:57 A vision for New Zealand?
1:41:30 Last words from Seamus, Steve, and Greg