Respect for the individual is one of our core beliefs at Walmart.

In the words of Doug McMillon, spoken as both leader and steward, we hear a principle that rises above commerce and touches the soul of community: “Respect for the individual is one of our core beliefs at Walmart.” At first, it may seem a simple declaration of company values, yet when reflected upon deeply, it is a truth as old as humanity itself—that every man and woman, no matter their station, carries a dignity that must be honored.

To speak of respect for the individual is to recognize that a business, though vast, is made not of walls or profits, but of people. Each cashier, each stocker, each customer who passes through the doors bears a story, a struggle, and a dream. In honoring them, one honors not only their labor or their coin, but the sacred worth of their humanity. McMillon’s words recall the wisdom of the ancients, who knew that the greatness of a kingdom was measured not by the wealth of its rulers, but by the well-being of its common folk.

The roots of this belief in Walmart stretch back to its founder, Sam Walton, who built his empire not by towering pride, but by walking the aisles, greeting workers by name, and seeking always to understand their needs. Walton believed that success was born from serving both employees and customers with fairness and humility. McMillon’s declaration is an echo of this origin, a reaffirmation that even in a company of global scale, the beating heart remains the individual.

History offers powerful mirrors to this truth. Consider the reign of Emperor Ashoka of India, who, after years of conquest, turned away from cruelty to embrace the principle of respect for every life. He inscribed upon stone pillars the commitment to treat his people with compassion, to value their voices, and to uplift even the lowliest. His empire endured not through fear, but through trust and honor. In the same way, any organization or nation that forgets the worth of the individual walks a path toward decay, while those that uplift it find lasting strength.

The deeper meaning of McMillon’s words is that respect is not a luxury but a foundation. Without respect, relationships collapse, trust erodes, and conflict festers. With respect, even humble work becomes noble, and even vast enterprises remain human at their core. Respect is not shown in speeches alone but in daily deeds: in listening to another’s voice, in valuing their labor, in treating them with fairness whether they are high or low.

The lesson is timeless and universal: whether you are a leader of thousands or a member of a small household, make respect for the individual your guiding law. In practice, this means pausing to hear the quiet voices, offering kindness even when it costs you nothing, and ensuring that those around you feel seen and valued. Just as a great chain is only as strong as its smallest link, so too is any family, business, or society only as strong as its care for each individual within it.

Therefore, let McMillon’s words be carried as a banner in your own life. Live with the awareness that each person you encounter is a world unto themselves, deserving of honor. Work diligently, serve humbly, and respect consistently, for in doing so, you not only build trust with others—you also strengthen your own spirit. For when respect for the individual becomes the foundation of your actions, your life, like the mightiest enterprises of history, will stand upon a rock that cannot be shaken.