March 15, 1976: I walked into my first day of work at General Mills, bright-eyed from completing my MBA and determined to bring my earnest effort to the work, but completely oblivious to the reality of the corporate world. Looking back, I had so much to learn.

Fast forward 50 years and I never could have imagined the adventures the past five decades would bring. This week, as I celebrate my “Golden Anniversary” of fifty years—or 18,250 days—in leadership, I am so grateful to be able to share what I’ve learned across the ups and downs of a half-century of immersing myself in the study and practice of the craft of leading people.

As you might guess, It wasn’t always smooth sailing. My journey has been marked by painful setbacks (getting fired unexpectedly in my 30s) in addition to rewarding successes (becoming President of Nabisco Foods and then CEO of Campbell Soup Company, and going on to start ConantLeadership in 2011, to name a handful). Through it all, I’ve learned what it takes to create enduring value, no matter how chaotic the world becomes. And I know what doesn’t work, too. I’ve lived it.

Based on all my experience, I’m committed to taking the leadership conversation to “Higher Ground” this year, and I’m unveiling some new thinking—the most meaningful of my career to date—in the coming months, all designed to help YOU as you navigate the challenges of the day.

That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow human . . . the rest is commentary.

To kick off the “Golden Anniversary” celebration and whet your appetite for more insights, here are two things I think every leader should be thinking about in the current moment, and these connect directly to the work we’ll be sharing with you this year and beyond.

People First

There’s a famous quote from the first century Rabbi Hillel the Elder: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow human. That is the entire Torah. The rest is commentary.”

In a sense, this same principle applies to everything I’ve learned about the craft of leadership. Treat people with honor and respect. Lead with listening. Understand that it is unrealistic to expect extraordinary effort and performance without first creating a culture where people are extraordinarily valued. Especially now, with the fast-paced innovations in tech and AI, it’s essential that people do not feel dehumanized. You simply cannot win in the marketplace in an enduring way without first winning in the workplace.

Leadership is practiced by people, with people, for people. Remember this as your guiding light: People first. All the rest is commentary.

The only way out is by looking in.

You Must ‘Dig Deep’ to Reach High

Across five decades of practicing, studying, and teaching leadership, I’ve learned this fundamental truth: You cannot control what happens in the world around you. But you can always choose how you respond and proceed in the face of challenges. Being able to access your inner fortitude, courage, and unique voice, requires depth and self-knowledge. Self-reflection is not optional. We can’t expect an uncertain world to provide clarity. But we can create our own clarity and use that inner illumination as a beacon to light the way for the people with whom we live and work.

My message to my fellow leaders is this: If you ever find yourself lost, simply remember that the only way out is by looking in. The deeper you go, the higher you can reach, and the more you can bring people along with you.

The ‘Golden Anniversary’ Collection

To help you pursue personal growth on your journey, we’ve published the first in our “Golden Anniversary” collection—a treasury of pieces I’ve written over the years that have now been updated to help YOU meet the current moment. The first piece is called, “Work Hard, Be Kind,” and you can read it here.

All year long, expect pieces in this special collection to draw on timeless wisdom—and leverage a half-century of experience—to give you specific, practical, future-forward advice for leading people to higher ground.

Think of this collection as my way of saying, ‘I’ve walked hundreds of miles in your leadership shoes. No matter what happens, please know I’m in your corner. You are not alone. And you’ve got this.’

Let’s go!

About the Author: Doug Conant is Founder and CEO of ConantLeadership, former Chairman and Current Board Member of CECP, former CEO of Campbell Soup Company, Former President of Nabisco, former Chairman of Avon Products, and co-author of two bestselling leadership books, TouchPoints, and The Blueprint.