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How do you lead 200,000 people without losing your values? Noel Massie, former VP of U.S. Operations at UPS and author of Congrats, You’ve Been Promoted, shares lessons from his decades-long career—rising from part-time college employee to senior executive—on leadership at scale, navigating promotions, and building a career that makes an impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How Noel rose from part-time college employee to leading 200,000 people at UPS
- The importance of intentional, values-based leadership from day one
- Practical tools for handling high-pressure leadership moments
- Why there are no casual moments in leadership (just ask that CEO at the Coldplay concert)
- How to navigate ethical challenges and build lasting trust
Episode Chapters
- 00:00 Intro and Noel’s Background
- 02:00 Starting Out and Early Leadership Lessons
- 06:15 The Idea Behind Congrats You’ve Been Promoted
- 11:35 Core Values and Setting Leadership Terms
- 17:00 Handling Ethical Challenges and Uncomfortable Moments
- 19:30 The No Casual Moments Rule in Leadership
- 22:00 Value-Based Leadership at Scale
- 25:45 Lessons from Coaching and Leadership Models
- 27:00 A Brand That’s Made Noel Smile and How to Connect
About Noel Massie
Noel Massie began working part-time at UPS during college and rose to become Vice President of U.S. Delivery Operations, overseeing 200,000 employees and 12,000 supervisors before retiring in 2019. He now mentors young leaders and serves on boards including the Annenberg Foundation, the Los Angeles Urban League, Chapter ONE US, and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legal Center. A recipient of numerous leadership and civic awards, Noel is the author of Congrats, You’ve Been Promoted and a champion of values-based leadership.
What Brand Has Made Noel Smile Recently?
Noel pointed to McDonald’s—admiring how the brand stays consistent and approachable while evolving with the times. For him, it’s a lesson in balancing legacy with innovation, showing leadership isn’t just about flashy moves but steady, reliable connection.
Resources & Links
- Connect with Noel on LinkedIn
- Check out his new book, Congrats, You’ve Been Promoted
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Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet!
