CEO John Pearson has had a role in the success of global logistics and courier company DHL Express for the past 40 years. In this Q&A, he explains how the company embeds purpose into its operations rather than treating it as a value statement; the formula that puts people ahead of profit; a leadership self-assessment that forces executives to rank their own commitment to purpose; and a program that repurposes DHL's aircraft and logistics network for disaster relief. John Pearson has been CEO of DHL Express and on the DHL Group board of management since 2019. He joined the global logistics and courier company in 1986 and has held senior management positions in its divisions in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S., and Europe. MIT Sloan Management Review spoke with Pearson about DHL's commitment to a corporate culture rooted in its purpose: 'Connecting people, improving lives.' This interview has been edited for clarity and length. John Pearson: It starts with our...
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