Leadership, Faith, and Lessons from Waste Management and Undercover Boss

Larry O’Donnell’s tenure at Waste Management is a story of transformative leadership. When he joined the company, it was facing turmoil, with accounting scandals, low employee morale, and a stock price that had dropped from $65 to $13 per share. O’Donnell spearheaded efforts to restructure the organization by building trust and communication from the ground up. His philosophy? Listen to frontline workers and act on their feedback.

One of the most notable aspects of his leadership was his hands-on approach—often working the back of trash trucks and speaking directly to employees about their challenges. His ability to understand the problems from their perspective helped rebuild trust, streamline operations, and ultimately contribute to the company’s recovery.

Today, Waste Management’s net worth and stock price reflect the long-term success of those efforts, with the company thriving as an industry leader.

Although specific figures about Larry O’Donnell’s net worth are not publicly confirmed, his financial success isn’t the sole marker of his impact. His legacy is built on servant leadership, which focuses on helping others grow. As he shared on Backstage with Randy Phillips, O’Donnell prioritizes creating high-performing teams and fostering environments where people feel valued.

Through his experience at Waste Management and other ventures, O’Donnell demonstrates that wealth is about more than financial gain—it’s about creating meaningful impact.

O’Donnell developed the acronym CLEAN to summarize his five core principles of leadership:

1. Commitment: Be dedicated to the mission and vision, even during challenges.
2. Listening: Understand the needs of others by actively listening.
3. Empathy: Recognize and share the feelings of those you lead.
4. Accountability: Hold yourself and your team responsible for outcomes.
5. Notice: Pay attention to details and look for opportunities to improve.

"When I put these five steps into practice," O’Donnell shared, "it led to some of the highest-performing teams I’ve ever been on."

O’Donnell’s faith played a significant role in shaping his leadership approach. As a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, he views business as a form of ministry. He believes God places people in specific positions to carry out His plan, emphasizing that leadership is about serving others rather than being at the top of the pyramid.

One key moment of spiritual growth for O’Donnell came from a personal tragedy involving his daughter, Lenley. The experience taught him empathy and the importance of surrendering to God’s plan. This perspective allowed him to lead with humility and grace, inspiring those around him.

As the very first CEO to appear on Undercover Boss, O’Donnell’s episode was groundbreaking. He went undercover to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by frontline workers. The experience revealed issues with communication, implementation of company initiatives, and employee morale.

One particularly impactful moment occurred when an employee unknowingly criticized O’Donnell’s leadership while he worked alongside her. Instead of being defensive, he took her feedback to heart and made changes within the company to address her concerns.

O’Donnell’s experience on Undercover Boss exemplifies how vulnerability and feedback can be powerful tools for improvement.

In Management Waste, O’Donnell shares lessons from his career and personal life, focusing on how to avoid "wasting" opportunities, relationships, and influence. The book dives into the mistakes he made and the lessons he learned, offering practical advice for leaders at any stage of their journey.

O’Donnell highlights how faith and leadership intersect, making this book valuable for those seeking to lead with purpose and integrity.

Servant leadership, as modeled by Larry O’Donnell, shifts the focus from self-promotion to serving others. This approach fosters trust, collaboration, and high performance—whether in a corporate environment or a church ministry. By prioritizing the growth and well-being of those you lead, you create a culture of accountability and shared success.

1. Embrace Humility: Leadership isn’t about being served; it’s about serving others.
2. Learn From Mistakes: Failure is a valuable teacher if you take time to reflect.
3. Integrate Faith and Work: Your workplace can be a mission field if you view it as an opportunity to serve.
4. Build Trust: Listening to employees and acting on their feedback builds loyalty and drives success.

Larry O’Donnell’s journey from Waste Management to Undercover Boss and beyond offers timeless lessons for anyone seeking to lead with impact and integrity. His story is a reminder that true leadership is rooted in service, empathy, and a willingness to grow.