Editorial companion

What stands out

At the Fortune Innovation Forum, Joey Wat, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yum China, told young women leaders to "be true to yourself," summing the approach as "No regret, no complaint." It sounds like a pep talk, but leadership mottos are a form of strategy, they shape hiring, franchising, and customer-facing choices in a market where reputation is everything. As Fortune counts down to its 2026 Global 500 list, her words remind investors that executives' public personas can alter brand equity, employee morale, and ultimately company resilience.