We've only been wealthy in this country for 70 years. Who said we ought to have all this? Is it ordained?

An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.

The most important job you have is growing your people, giving them a chance to reach their dreams.

Globalization has changed us into a company that searches the world, not just to sell or to source, but to find intellectual capital - the world's best talents and greatest ideas.

Take time to get to know people. Understand where they are coming from, what is important to them. Make sure they are with you.

What Sam Walton did was to go into one of the most mature industries of all and find a way to make it grow, grow, grow, double-digit, month after month, year after year. He did it by innovation, customer focus, and above all, speed.

I am often asked if leaders are born or made. The answer, of course, is both. Some characteristics, like IQ and energy, seem to come with the package. On the other hand, you learn some leadership skills, like self-confidence, at your mother's knee, and at school, in academics and sports. And you learn others at work-trying something, getting it wrong and learning from it, or getting it right and gaining the self-confidence to do it again, only better.