He once worked as a janitor. Now, he’s the CEO of Lowe’s. Here are 4 career lessons he credits for his rise, and why they matter for workers today

Here are four career lessons Ellison credits for his rise, and how workers at any level can use them to make steady progress.

Lesson #1: Start by understanding the frontline

Before becoming CEO, Ellison worked jobs most people overlook. That experience shaped how he leads and how he advanced.

When Ellison took the top job at Lowe’s, he didn’t start with boardroom briefings. He went straight into stores to meet associates. His philosophy is simple: leaders who understand frontline work make better decisions.

“I always ask the question for every decision we make, how is this going to impact our frontline associates?” Lowes told CNBC (1). “Because that should be the first question.”

For everyday workers, the takeaway isn’t “wait to be promoted.” It’s to deeply understand the role you’re in now. People who know how the work actually gets done (where processes break, what slows teams down, what customers complain about) become valuable faster.

In a tight job market, that kind of operational knowledge can set someone apart when promotions or lateral moves open up.

Lesson #2: Pressure exposes opportunity

During the pandemic, Lowe’s faced a surge in demand and major supply-chain disruptions. Ellison saw something else: bureaucracy was slowing decisions down.

Instead of accepting delays, leadership cut red tape. Approvals that once took months were reduced to days. The lesson stuck: leaders were empowered to move faster, using data to guide decisions. “Leaders have to be decisive,” Ellison said. “The difference between decisive and impulsive is data.”

For workers, pressure moments can feel destabilizing, but they’re often when growth happens. Being willing to step up during chaos, take on unfamiliar responsibilities, or help solve urgent problems can accelerate visibility.

Career growth doesn’t always come from perfect conditions. It often comes when someone proves they can think clearly when things aren’t.

Lesson #3: Simple, visible goals

Ellison says one of the biggest leadership mistakes is overcomplicating strategy. If people don’t understand the plan, execution falls apart.

At Lowe’s, leadership narrowed the company’s focus to a few “retail fundamentals.” Clear priorities led to better execution and results.

This lesson applies at every career stage. Workers who chase too many goals, or try to impress by sounding smart, often stall out. Clear, simple objectives are easier to communicate and easier to measure.

Whether it’s mastering one skill, improving one process, or becoming known for one strength, clarity builds momentum.

Lesson #4: Don’t let your starting point define you

Ellison grew up in rural Tennessee and worked multiple jobs to get through school. He didn’t deny those circumstances, but said he refused to let them become excuses.

Throughout his career, he intentionally took on difficult roles, often replacing leaders who had failed. When things went wrong, he looked inward instead of blaming the situation.

That mindset matters even more today. Wages are struggling to keep pace with daily costs, layoffs have rattled job security (2), and many workers feel stuck. In that environment, it’s easy to feel powerless.

Progress doesn’t require ignoring reality, but it does require agency. People who consistently ask “What can I do better?” tend to move forward, even if the steps are small.

Why this matters in today’s job market

Upward mobility feels tougher for a reason. Hiring has slowed and competition for stable roles is fierce, especially for hourly and early-career workers. Recent college graduates (roughly ages 23–27) now face unemployment rates notably above their 2019 levels (3), indicating a softer market for entry‑level professional roles, according to the Federal Reserve.