Mr. Mackey told the Freakonomics podcast a single criticism from him could be devastating to store employee morale, even when given alongside 10 compliments, CNBC reports. He believes store staff see him as akin to a parental figure who they want to make happy because of his role as company founder and so he gives any store he visits, for the most part, nothing but praise. In his estimation, people only receive criticism well from people with whom they have built trust. John Mackey, CEO/Founder, Whole Foods – Photo: Whole Foods