I totally agree with McFarland's view of leadership by example and taking care of your troops.
That being said, that's the problem with Lowe's. People have been put in positions of leadership who are not fit to lead! And it continues this very day. Our store manager doesn't know the meaning of servant leadership. She's immature, narcissistic, and vindictive. Her management team is comprised of inexperienced, unqualified, tale lickers so she can feel superior and more knowledgeable. Anyone over the age of 40 with experience doesn't have a chance of being promoted because she's intimidated by anyone who may know more than her (Age Discrimination). She has tantrums and throws merchandise (Has broken Merchandise). If anyone else did that they would be terminated.
Until middle and store level management is changed, Lowe's will continue to fail. So, Mr. McFarland and Mr. Ellison, if you truly want things to improve, get some competent managers in the stores, market, and regions. Region and market level managers brush it under the rug and cover for the incompetency.