Leadership

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman

For millions of satisfied customers, eBay has transformed the way in which the world does business.  Buyers and sellers were first joined in 1995 through an online community that today has become a global powerhouse in the business community.  Along with millions of loyal users, eBay owes much of its success to one inspirational, dedicated, and enthusiastic leader: former CEO Meg Whitman.

Born in 1957 in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, Whitman is one of three children in a family of five.  After a childhood filled with camping excursions, Whitman entered Princeton University in 1974. After earning her degree, Whitman went on to Harvard for her Masters in Business Administration.  Never afraid to lead the way, Whitman may have forecasted her future success when she had the Wall Street Journal delivered to her dorm room.

Following college, Whitman built her business career through a variety of different positions with some of the country’s leading businesses, including Proctor & Gamble, the Walt Disney Company, and Hasbro.  With over twenty years in the business community under her belt, Whitman joined eBay.

Charged with creating a new, more professional and profitable eBay, Whitman immediately set eBay on a strong national marketing campaign.  Whitman continued to urge employees to think outside the box to provide eBay’s loyal users with new tools and devices to increase value.  Whitman showed intense and dedicated leadership to not only the employees of eBay but to the users of eBay, knowing that the users were the true engine of eBay’s success.  As the world and market changed, so too did Whitman’s leadership.  Never afraid to inspire others with her whatever it takes attitude, Whitman shed the image of a traditional chief executive, preferring a cubicle rather than the corner office.  It wasn’t uncommon to see or hear Whitman answering phones, responding to customer questions, or interacting with employees of all levels.

As eBay continued to grow, Whitman inspired others through her steady presence and positive attitude.  Her hard working, upbeat, and ambitious attitude inspired both eBay employees and customers to propel the once “no-name internet company” to a major player in the world economy.  Meg Whitman’s dedication to becoming the best and inspiring others along the way is just one great example of leadership in today’s business environment, but it is certainly one youth of all ages can aspire to.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think was one of Meg Whitman’s first displays of leadership?
2. Why do you think the employees of eBay were so loyal and fond of Meg Whitman during
    her time there?
3. What traits do you think Meg Whitman showed that inspired others to believe in eBay?