‘Will you be my best friend?’ How Lumen’s Kate Johnson turned a breakfast into a CEO partnership

In the CEO Daily, EY CEO Janet Truncale and Lumen CEO Kate Johnson discuss the importance of friendship in leadership. The two women, both introverts, first connected at a Business Roundtable event where Johnson approached Truncale and asked if she would be her best friend. Truncale accepted, recalling Johnson's helpfulness in marking her spot at the table during the event.

Over time, their friendship evolved, influencing how Truncale interacts with other CEOs. Johnson emphasizes that personal connections matter in leadership, particularly for women who still face limited representation in C-suite and board roles. Both Truncale and Johnson highlight the value of respecting and trusting each other's capabilities over mere liking.

Truncale notes that about 25% of EY's $57 billion in global revenue comes from partnerships with alliance and ecosystem partners, underscoring the importance of leveraging expertise. Johnson agrees, stating that confident leaders who combine their strengths with others are more likely to achieve their goals. The story also features insights from Logitech CEO Hanneke Faber and Sam's Club CEO Latriece Watkins on the significance of networks in board roles and personal power.