Leadership With a Ballpoint Pen

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Most of us would encounter difficulties selling anything, much less a single writing utensil. However, doing so in a creative and enthusiastic way launched a lucrative career for William Weldon, a successful businessman and entrepreneur.

Barrett (2003), a writer for Business Week described the leader’s life as follows: Weldon was born on November 26, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a union stage-hand and seamstress. He graduated from Ridgewood High School in New Jersey and shortly following was accepted to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. College classes were financed by work as a mover on weekends and holidays. During the process of attaining a biology degree, he married his high school sweetheart. Upon graduating in 1971 he immediately sought employment as a sales representative for Johnson & Johnson. Weldon was awarded the position based on an outstanding performance creating an impromptu sales pitch for a ballpoint pen. Interestingly, in his more than 30-year tenure with the company, that was his one and only job interview (Barrett, 2003).

William Weldon quickly rose through the ranks of the enterprising business world. He held managerial positions with different corporate units such as McNeil Limited, Ortho-Silag Pharmaceutical and Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Barrett, 2003). These divisions spanned the United States, Korea and the United Kingdom. In 1998, Weldon’s international experience offered a smooth transition into the position of Worldwide Chairman of Pharmaceuticals (Barrett, 2003). As was his practice, he found himself striving to cover new territories and implement new ideas. Establishing enhanced research, development, sales and marketing departments changed the pursuit and implementation ...

... middle of paper ...

... more of his colleagues, employees and himself.

Today, William Weldon remains the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Johnson & Johnson. He spends his time overseeing corporate initiatives, promoting continued innovation and mentoring those who are new to the pharmaceutical industry. It is likely that his initial orientation somehow involves the utilization of a ballpoint pen.

Works Cited

Barrett, A. (2003, May 5). Staying on top. BusinessWeek, pp. 60-68.

Canas, K., & Sondak, H. (2011). Opportunities and challenges of workplace

diversity. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Rockoff, J. (2010, August 19). Johnson & Johnson bruised by recalls aims higher. Wall Street Journal, p. B10.

Wickman, L. (2008, September 11). Ceo's who lead the way. Retrieved from www.diversity-executive.com/article

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