How Longo’s Mike Longo Takes the Lead
Mike Longo likes to lead by example. In fact, as chief operating officer of Longo’s, he says he would never ask someone to do something he would not be prepared to do himself. It’s a philosophy grounded in consistency, humility and respect—values he considers himself fortunate to have learned early in life.
The son of Gus Longo, one of the three brothers who founded the Ontario grocery business in the 1950s, Mike grew up closely watching his father and uncles, Tommy and Joe. He says the family built the business by working hard, treating people well and acting with integrity. As they became known for their friendly neighbourhood stores, the elder Longos provided Mike with a blueprint for leadership that continues to shape how he makes decisions, supports his team and holds himself accountable today.
But despite the warm, old-fashioned values, when Mike leads, there’s no living in the past: he understands the imperative to evolve to meet the changing needs of today’s grocery landscape. Read on for how Mike takes the lead as COO of the Empire Company-owned banner.
You grew up around Longo's business. Do you remember a moment early on when you first understood what leadership meant in this company?
I was fortunate to grow up watching my father, Gus, and my uncles, Tommy and Joe, lead by example every day. They treated everyone with respect, worked hard and lived with integrity. Their actions taught me that leadership is earned through consistency, humility and the way you treat others. The values and work ethic they demonstrated have shaped my leadership style and continue to guide me today.
READ: Longo’s marks 70 years in business
What do you look for in store leaders who can deliver strong operations while maintaining a warm, neighbourhood-store feel?
The best store leaders combine operational excellence with genuine care for people, understanding that great results come from engaged teams and partners and meaningful relationships with both guests and the community. We look for leaders who live our values, set clear expectations, develop their people and have the confidence to make local decisions that strengthen connections within their community while consistently delivering on our standards for freshness, service and quality.
When you walk into a Longo's store, what tells you the culture is working?
The first thing I notice when I visit our stores is how team members interact with guests and each other, because our culture is most visible in the everyday moments that cannot be scripted. When I see people taking pride in their departments, offering knowledgeable service, greeting guests by name and working together to solve problems, it tells me our values are being lived in a way that creates a remarkable experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
What leadership lessons come from serving communities where many customers have a long personal connection to the banner?
Leadership in every store and at our support centre means listening closely, staying connected and addressing what matters most to families. We recognize that while history and traditions are important, we must continue to evolve to meet changing needs without compromising the values that built those relationships in the first place.
How do you lead a grocery business at a time when shoppers want price, convenience, freshness, service and trust all at once?
Today's consumer expects more than ever, so leadership requires balancing value and efficiency without losing sight of the quality and service that differentiate our brand. We stay focused on the fundamentals by investing in fresh food, trusted supplier relationships, private brands, digital capabilities and our team members, because consistently delivering on these expectations is what earns trust.
READ: Longo's opens first store in Ontario's Niagara region
What has been the most important lesson in leadership you have learned and live by today?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that success starts with people. I invest in my team, lead by example, and never ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I believe in gathering input from everyone, making a decision, and moving forward— because the only thing worse than a bad decision is no decision. I focus on progress over perfection and on the process rather than the outcome. Mistakes are part of growth; we learn from them, move forward and continue to improve. Above all, I believe in being direct, fair, honest and encourage the same from others.
What do you do outside of work that makes you a better leader at work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and staying connected to the people who matter most. Those moments help keep me grounded and remind me of the values that have shaped both my life and my leadership. Having a healthy balance outside of work makes me a better listener, a more thoughtful decision-maker, and a leader who is approachable, authentic and focused on supporting others.
