Recently named the #3 CEO in the world by Inc., Bob Chapman is very intentional about using his platform as a business leader to build a better world.
Why Bob Chapman
Recently named the #3 CEO in the world by Inc. magazine, Bob Chapman is speaking about how one of the most influential sectors of our day to day lives can make a difference in our general wellbeing and our communities in the long run, through truly human leadership. Not only promoting and striving towards a people centric culture in the work place, but one that has Recognition and Celebration as its corner stone. Having gone through the 2008-2009 crash and not opting to lay off his workers, Bob Chapman was resilient in what he believed in and to take care the people he called family. A concept so far from today's thinking that Harvard University is to initiate a case study on Barry Wehmiller Companies, and the Leadership methods implemented by him.
Chapman is Chairman and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller, a $3B global manufacturing business with almost 12,000 team members. The company began as a small pasteurizing and bottle washer business in 1885 and, through acquisition and organic growth, has grown into 12 business units serving primarily the packaging, paper converting, sheeting and corrugating industries. Chapman became the senior executive of this private company in 1975 at age 30 when the 80-year-old business had $20 million in revenue, outdated technology and a very weak financial position. Despite the obstacles, Chapman applied a unique blend of strategy and culture over the next 40 years in leading Barry-Wehmiller through more than 100 successful acquisitions.
Over the past two decades, a series of realizations led him away from traditional management practices to what he now calls Truly Human Leadership–a people-centric approach where his employees feel valued, cared for, and an integral part of the company's purpose. At Barry-Wehmiller, they have a unique measure of success: by the way they touch the lives of people.
Chapman's experiences and the transformation he championed were the inspiration behind his 2015 WSJ bestseller Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. The book is co-authored by Raj Sisodia, founder and co-author of Conscious Capitalism.
Chapman regularly writes about the powerful intersection of people-centric leadership and good business strategy on his blog, TrulyHumanLeadership.com, and on LinkedIn, where he is an Editor's pick. In 2016, Harvard Business School released a case study featuring Barry-Wehmiller's unique approach to business.
Chapman's list of speaking engagements include the Aspen Ideas Festival, Conscious Capitalism events, Fortune Scale Up Summit, TEDxScottAFB, the 2016 US Congressional Retreat, WorldBlu, CEO Global Leaders Forum, International City Managers Association, the AME International Conference, Institute for Healthcare Consumerism Forum, Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence Conference, HERO Forum for Employee Health Management, and numerous others.
Chapman shares his leadership journey and the story of Barry-Wehmiller whenever he can as it is an example of the way businesses and organizations should be: focused on creating value for all stakeholders—team members, customers, communities and shareholders. Not only is it the right thing to do, it creates meaning and fulfillment for team members.
Chapman has a BA from Indiana University and an MBA from Michigan. He spent his early career as an accountant with Price Waterhouse.
Recently named the #3 CEO in the world by Inc., Bob Chapman is very intentional about using his platform as a business leader to build a better world.
Why Bob Chapman
Recently named the #3 CEO in the world by Inc. magazine, Bob Chapman is speaking about how one of the most influential sectors of our day to day lives can make a difference in our general wellbeing and our communities in the long run, through truly human leadership. Not only promoting and striving towards a people centric culture in the work place, but one that has Recognition and Celebration as its corner stone. Having gone through the 2008-2009 crash and not opting to lay off his workers, Bob Chapman was resilient in what he believed in and to take care the people he called family. A concept so far from today's thinking that Harvard University is to initiate a case study on Barry Wehmiller Companies, and the Leadership methods implemented by him.
Chapman is Chairman and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Barry-Wehmiller, a $3B global manufacturing business with almost 12,000 team members. The company began as a small pasteurizing and bottle washer business in 1885 and, through acquisition and organic growth, has grown into 12 business units serving primarily the packaging, paper converting, sheeting and corrugating industries. Chapman became the senior executive of this private company in 1975 at age 30 when the 80-year-old business had $20 million in revenue, outdated technology and a very weak financial position. Despite the obstacles, Chapman applied a unique blend of strategy and culture over the next 40 years in leading Barry-Wehmiller through more than 100 successful acquisitions.
Over the past two decades, a series of realizations led him away from traditional management practices to what he now calls Truly Human Leadership–a people-centric approach where his employees feel valued, cared for, and an integral part of the company's purpose. At Barry-Wehmiller, they have a unique measure of success: by the way they touch the lives of people.
Chapman's experiences and the transformation he championed were the inspiration behind his 2015 WSJ bestseller Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. The book is co-authored by Raj Sisodia, founder and co-author of Conscious Capitalism.
Chapman regularly writes about the powerful intersection of people-centric leadership and good business strategy on his blog, TrulyHumanLeadership.com, and on LinkedIn, where he is an Editor's pick. In 2016, Harvard Business School released a case study featuring Barry-Wehmiller's unique approach to business.
Chapman's list of speaking engagements include the Aspen Ideas Festival, Conscious Capitalism events, Fortune Scale Up Summit, TEDxScottAFB, the 2016 US Congressional Retreat, WorldBlu, CEO Global Leaders Forum, International City Managers Association, the AME International Conference, Institute for Healthcare Consumerism Forum, Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence Conference, HERO Forum for Employee Health Management, and numerous others.
Chapman shares his leadership journey and the story of Barry-Wehmiller whenever he can as it is an example of the way businesses and organizations should be: focused on creating value for all stakeholders—team members, customers, communities and shareholders. Not only is it the right thing to do, it creates meaning and fulfillment for team members.
Chapman has a BA from Indiana University and an MBA from Michigan. He spent his early career as an accountant with Price Waterhouse.
Truly Human Leadership
As Chairman and CEO of $2 billion capital equipment and engineering solutions...
The Privilege of Leadership: The Courage to Care
Bob Chapman is intentional about using his platform as a business leader to build a better world. He dreams of a world in which people leave work each day fulfilled by their work, rather than drained by it. He imagines a world full of caring business environments in which people can realize their gifts, develop their talents, and feel a genuine sense of fulfillment for their contributions. And in this world, because their work is fulfilling, people go home happy and are better spouses,...
6 recommend Bob
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On-Site
G.
"We were so moved by your keynote talk "The Privilege of Leadership, The Courage to Care" and your presence on the on the Conscious Capitalism panel. We received positive feedback from attendees on both. You are a big inspiration to us and our work. Thank you!"
On-Site
S.S.
"The "productivity and intensity of this organization is unbelievable. I've taken others to see Barry-Wehmiller's offices and factories and the results are always the same. People are blown away by what Chapman has created. As for me? I can no longer be accused of being an idealist if what I imagine exists in reality."
On-Site
J.C.
"When it comes to maximizing potential, Chapman and his team at Barry-Wehmiller have it figured out."
On-Site
S.M.
"Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, embodies the belief that a major corporation can still be family-oriented. He's masterful at tapping into our humanity to foster a positive culture." Shawn Murphy CEO, WorqIQ
On-Site
J.K.V.C.
"I'd like to share how impressed and appreciative everyone was of Bob's speech last year to the group. It was a phenomenal presentation that made a huge impact on many. I cannot began to tell you how appreciative I am of Bob and how thrilled I was to share his message with everyone". Janice K. Vos Caudill Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder
On-Site
C.S.
"It was a deflated demoralized team we had here before the acquisition. It is not the same company prior to Barry-Wehmiller in a very positive way". Craig Sabota PCMC Leade
