Waste In, Shareholder Value Out: A Conversation with WM President and CEO Jim Fish

Not many CEOs would roll up their sleeves and ride on the back of a waste truck at 2am once a week for seven years. But for today’s guest, it was the best way to get to know his employees and learn first-hand what impacts their productivity in the field. 

In this episode, Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish joins Simon and guest host Emma Combe – host of Redefiners’ sister podcast, Leadership Lounge – to dig into what it takes to run a $20 billion company working on the frontlines of sustainability. Jim shares his insights into the importance of putting people first and creating sustainable value through all phases of the waste cycle – from recycling and composting to producing renewable natural gas as a byproduct from landfills to running his waste fleet on natural gas. He also talks about his views on CEOs weighing in on social topics and the delicate balance leaders need to strike between having a personal opinion and the broader responsibility to shareholders.  

We'll also hear from Justus O’ Brien, a Managing Director in our Stamford office, who will outline what it takes to transition from the CFO role to the top seat.  

Four things you’ll learn from this episode: 

1. How to get your team on board with sustainability initiatives 
2. How to adapt your business to changing market conditions  
3. What it takes to create a people-first organization 
4. What is the CEO’s role when it comes to social issues 
5. How to balance and prioritize the many responsibilities and stakeholders a CEO has to manage 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Putting Sustainability Talk into Action with former Enel CEO Francesco Starace 
• Leadership Lounge: Advice on when—and how—to weigh in on social issues 
• Daring to Build a More Sustainable World with Kate Brandt and Sophia Mendelsohn 
• Unpacking Leadership Lessons with Marriott International President and CEO Tony Capuano