McClelland took over the tasks of Donald Lawrence, a floor care employee at the H-E-B’s Atascocita store. He was in charge of everything from mopping up spills and cleaning restrooms to replenishing first aid kits.

“You really get an appreciation for how much work goes into keeping a 78,000 square foot building clean,” McClelland said as he cleaned up a dog food spill. “Someone once told me that the two most important jobs are the

book keeper and the floor man. One is in charge of the money and the other is in charge of keeping the place clean.”

H-E-B began the leadership swap as a way to give their senior leaders a better understanding of the day-to-day operations in H-E-B stores. McClelland, who participated in the program last year by working in the frozen foods department, said that he learned a lot about his business through this experience.

“I learn things that we can do better,” he said. “No one in the company is better than any job. H-E-B really values servant leadership.”

Twelve randomly selected H-E-B workers across the state were selected and given the chance to switch places with a senior leader. Next, all leadership swap participants will convene for strategy sessions with corporate leaders at an upcoming meeting in San Antonio.

Lawrence, who has worked at the Atascocita store for ten years, said that he was proud of the job that McClelland was doing.

“He’s taking it seriously and doing a great job,” Lawrence said.

Photo:

Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B’s Houston division, cleans up a dog food spill as part of the “Leadership Swap” program. Photo by Molly Chiu.