What does it take to reinvent an industry by challenging everything customers have come to expect? Ron Johnson, former CEO of JCPenney and creator of the Apple Store, shares the remarkable story of how he and Steve Jobs transformed retail by building stores around a simple philosophy: enrich people’s lives. From convincing Jobs to open Apple stores in shopping malls to inventing the Genius Bar, Ron reveals how a radical focus on customer experience helped make technology more accessible and changed the way the world shops. Drawing on his pioneering work at Target, where he introduced affordable designer products through a groundbreaking partnership with architect Michael Graves, and insights from his new book, Shop Different, Ron explains why great leaders must trust their instincts, eliminate unnecessary urgency and remain deeply connected to their employees. He also shares why kindness, rather than fear, is the foundation of extraordinary leadership and lasting innovation.
Recorded on September 10, 2026 