Relationships-focus on strong personal, professional, spiritual connections; nurture these relationships and always be a great teammate.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Derek Lewis.
Derek Lewis, a corporate titan and champion for social change, has left an indelible mark on the business world. As a former executive at PepsiCo, Lewis ascended to multiple presidential roles, culminating in his position as President of Multi-Cultural. In this capacity, he steered initiatives that generated billions in revenue, showcasing his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Beyond his corporate success, Lewis is renowned for his unwavering commitment to social advocacy, tirelessly working to promote diversity and inclusion in the corporate sphere. His journey from the boardroom to becoming a beacon of change is captured in his highly anticipated debut memoir, “Survive and Advance: Lessons on Living a Life Without Compromise.” This book promises to offer invaluable insights into navigating the corporate landscape while staying true to one’s principles, cementing Lewis’s legacy as both a business visionary and a catalyst for societal progress.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I was born and raised in Washington, D.C., often called the Chocolate City. As the oldest of three boys in a single-parent household, I took on significant responsibilities from a young age. My parents divorced when I was around nine, and my relationship with my father was distant — I referred to him by his first name, Roland, as that was what I heard my mom use. Despite his intermittent presence and personal struggles, I learned an important lesson: the only limitations in life are the ones you impose on yourself.
I attended Catholic school for twelve years, which provided me with a solid education and a strong sense of right and wrong. These experiences reinforced my determination to create a better life for myself.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
In 1990, Earl G. Graves Sr. and Magic Johnson acquired the Pepsi-Cola bottling franchise in Washington, D.C., where Graves served as CEO and was my boss. Graves, also the founder of Black Enterprise magazine, was dedicated to uplifting his community and exemplifying Black excellence. A few years after we met, Graves published a bestselling book, How to Succeed in Business Without Being White: Straight Talk on Making It in America, which profoundly impacted my view of myself and my potential. He was an exceptional boss and a true gentleman, even providing me with his own business suits to enhance my professional image. Graves built a multi-million-dollar empire and aimed to inspire Black entrepreneurs to realize their dreams. His book remains in print today.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of my first public speaking opportunities at Pepsi involved presenting to a large group of store managers about how we planned to improve our service levels and boost sales. There were at least 100 managers in attendance. I had just started a new role and was invited by the customer’s Regional Vice President to outline our action plans.
Despite my preparation, I became nervous and inadvertently lapsed into casual language. During a key part of my presentation, I said, “We’re going to shoot our wad on this one,” while discussing our new customer response protocol. I didn’t realize my mistake at the time, but everyone thanked me and clapped when I finished. It wasn’t until later, when a colleague pointed it out, that I realized the slip.
Reflecting on the experience, I learned the importance of always maintaining professionalism and carefully choosing my language to ensure I conveyed the right message.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
I want every reader of this book to not only recognize but also celebrate their unique qualities. Regardless of our backgrounds, current circumstances, or life paths, we all have the potential to live fulfilling lives without compromise. Many of us have faced similar challenges, such as growing up in single-parent households or dealing with mental health issues, addiction, or other personal traumas. This book acknowledges these struggles and explores how we can embrace, understand, and appreciate our own experiences and those of others. It seeks to elevate our respect for one another and to highlight ways we can celebrate each other. The book aims to answer the question: How can we build greater respect and support for ourselves and others, at work, at home and in the community?
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
When I was very young, my father wasn’t around much, but when he was, his presence was intense. His substance abuse led to extreme mood swings, from cheerful to overbearing, and we had to tread carefully. By the time I was seven, I would help him with his street activities, such as picking up or dropping off items we had “acquired” to support his habits. Despite the challenges, I learned valuable skills that would benefit me later: focus, precision, calmness under pressure, and quick thinking. Most importantly, I realized what I didn’t want for my future. I was determined to do better and strive for more. These early experiences motivated me to improve and aim higher for myself.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
The idea for the book was, funnily enough, not mine. Once I announced my retirement from Pepsi, I heard from a lot of people such as my colleagues, students, neighbors, and family, who asked me if I would consider writing a book, highlighting the many personal and professional lessons that I’d learned throughout my career and life. So, I thought about it, and that’s how I ended up here. I have really enjoyed the process of doing this book. I am hoping it will inspire others to pursue their dreams, become the best version of themselves and do live life authentically, making a difference on what matters and where it matters the most.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I have always been dedicated to helping others. My first summer job was working for Marion Barry, the second mayor of DC, through an internship program designed to keep kids off the streets. When I was 17, I worked at a care home for people with cognitive disabilities. There, I learned the importance of genuinely connecting with people. I became friends with Martin, one of the first residents or “children” I interacted with, and he taught me a lot about what he enjoyed, from TV shows to games. Understanding these preferences allowed me to bring a smile to his face, showing me that making others happier often involves paying attention to the little things.
I also observed the staff at Haven, who worked tirelessly and with great dedication. Their commitment deeply influenced my appreciation for diversity and the role of work in shaping our personalities and skills. Since then, I have been a strong advocate for personal development, speaking to groups and at events both within and outside my company. I believe it’s crucial not only to sell products but also to make a positive impact on the community by supporting small businesses, youth, underserved communities, and nonprofits. Our commitment to each other should reflect in everything we do.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To me, leadership is about coaching, the two being synonymous with each other. I define COACH as an acronym: conviction, ownership, action orientation, consistency and hustle. As leaders, we need to pursue and embody each of these ideals in our work. But to be a true leader, we have to achieve these goals with absolute authenticity. It’s not enough to try hard; leaders have to authentically live out those values every day. We need to move from being go-getters to go-givers.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
I’m going to share three things, because, to me, these three concepts are critical. Pursue excellence with how you achieve Results, Relationships, and Reputation.
Results-delivering solid and consistent performance the right way matters.
Relationships-focus on strong personal, professional, spiritual connections; nurture these relationships and always be a great teammate.
Reputation-be mindful of your actions. Live purposefully to create a positive legacy that generations will remember.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I’m a fan of C.S. Lewis. I love the quote, “You can’t go back and make a new start, but you can start right now and make a brand new ending.”
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Like many people, I’d love to sit down with the next President of the United States after the election. I would love to have a conversation about the future of our nation, not for any political reason but about how to support the next generations of our American community. Now, it’s an ambitious thing, but I would share my story, which I think reflects the stories many of today’s Americans, many of whom desire more hope in their lives. It’s possible that, looking at the blueprint of how I grew up and achieved success, can lead to a revival of the American dream.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
People can follow me on social media @realdereklewis, and check out my website at https://realdereklewis.com/ to stay tuned on the launch of Survive + Advance.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Derek Lewis Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.