What if one man's journey through the tech industry could transform your understanding of leadership and purpose? Join us as we sit down with John McBeth, a technology industry veteran with nearly half a century of experience, who shares his evolution from a software engineer to a CEO of Century Computing. John's early days working on nuclear power plant trainers and NASA satellite systems set the stage for a career marked by perseverance and innovation. He opens up about his transition into leadership roles, the challenges he faced, and how his quest for effective leadership led him to the Vistage organization and the teachings of Dr. Lee Thayer.

Next, we travel through the formation of Next Century, a company John founded with a deep commitment to national security, especially after the events of 9/11. The episode underscores the importance of having a great and worthy purpose and explains how staying mission-focused can open unexpected opportunities. We discuss impactful mission-driven solutions like the WISER system for first responders and real-time situational awareness systems for US Special Forces. Learn how John's belief in continuous learning and humility not only shaped his leadership style but also guided his company's decision-making process towards remarkable achievements.

Finally, we delve into the practical aspects of leadership and organizational alignment. John shares his experiences with regular communication, storytelling, and ensuring every team member understands and aligns with the mission. Through engaging examples and personal anecdotes, he highlights the value of improvisation, seizing opportunities, and fostering a mindset of dreaming big. Reflecting on his work with Dream Builders and the profound wisdom of Lee Thayer, we explore how keeping the mission at the forefront can map the future effectively. This episode is packed with actionable leadership insights and inspiring stories that promise to leave you motivated and enlightened.

Guest: John McBeth, Former Co-founder and CEO of Next Century Corporation

Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG

https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/mapping-the-future-via-the-mission-with-john-mcbeth

Discover the hidden framework behind successful organizations with Tom Foster, President of Foster Learning Corporation. Ever wondered how to integrate clear accountability and authority within your company's structure?

Tune in as Tom, with his vast experience and over 17,000 hours of executive coaching, unveils the secrets to achieving efficient decision-making and problem-solving through structured working relationships. His transition from television production to a CPA firm in the 1980s, a pivotal period of computer integration in business, offers a unique perspective on blending technology with organizational dynamics.

Foster explains that hierarchy is a natural process based on competence, not dominance. He also introduces the concept of levels of work, which involve decision-making and problem-solving. Foster highlights the significance of structural clarity in resolving communication problems and personality conflicts within the organization.

The conversation explores his “Properties in Levels of Work” model and its application to startup organizations and as organizations mature and ride the bell-shaped curve of maturity. They also discuss the application of these levels of work to healthcare and the importance of understanding the complexity and uncertainty of the future.

Guest
Tom Foster, President, Foster Learning Corporation
tfoster@fosterlearning.org

Host
Chris Comeaux, MLAS, CPA
President / CEO of Teleios Collaborative Network
and Teleios Consulting Group

Buy Book on Amazon
The Anatomy Of Leadership


https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/making-the-organization-with-tom-foster

What if healthcare leadership could be revolutionized by empathy and curiosity? In our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, the Chief Experience and Brand Officer for ECU Health, whose inspiring journey from a nurse aide at 14 to a healthcare leader offers a masterclass in compassionate leadership. With over four decades of experience, Julie shares her unique insights into patient experience, strategic operations, and the integral role of empathy and curiosity in driving innovation.

Imagine team meetings that reinvigorate your organization's mission, vision, and values, turning them from stale clichés into living, breathing elements of your work culture. Through engaging anecdotes and creative communication tools like memes, we explore how connecting individual roles to your organization's core principles can inspire and retain employees, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Julie’s insights illuminate the power of aligning behavior standards with core values through crowdsourcing, creating a self-reinforcing culture of authenticity and accountability.

Our discussion doesn't stop at organizational strategies. Dive into the heart of healthcare, where love, empathy, and human connection are crucial in balancing technological advancements. Julie shares her passion for pollinators like bees and butterflies, symbolizing her holistic approach to caring for people and the planet. We wrap up with thoughts on the importance of rewarding effort, learning from mistakes, and managing personal brands authentically, emphasizing the need for empathetic leadership to inspire innovation and drive the evolution of healthcare toward a brighter future.

Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG
Guest: Julie Kennedy Oehlert, Chief Experience and Brand Officer for ECU Health

https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/people-making-with-julie-kennedy-oehlert

Curious about the art of brand mechanics and how effective listening can transform your career? Join us as we sit down with Tom Howell, a marketing communications expert with over four decades of experience. Tom, a principal at Hundred Trees LLC, shares his remarkable journey from broadcast news to leading iconic campaigns such as Louisville Water Company's Pure Tap and Kentucky's Unbridled Spirit. Discover how his unique title, "brand mechanic," came to be, and why listening is his superpower. Tom's heartfelt stories about being a grandfather add a personal touch to our conversation on leadership and branding.

We then venture into the world of hospice and palliative care, inspired by the poignant tagline, "because the end of life is part of living." Reflecting on insights from focus groups and leadership principles from "The Anatomy of Leadership," we discuss the necessity of aligning organizational offerings with community needs through effective two-way communication. Learn about the importance of reliability, qualitative research, and the power of metaphors in shaping internal and external messaging strategies. This chapter underscores the importance of making and keeping promises, especially in sensitive fields like end-of-life care, where social media can amplify both successes and failures.

Finally, we explore the profound impact of leadership on branding and customer care. Tom and I delve into real-life examples, such as the "Unbridled Spirit" campaign, and how it repositioned Kentucky as a desirable destination, enhancing both employee morale and customer perception. Through stories of leadership during crises and the concept of the GIMBA walk, we emphasize the importance of leaders staying connected with their teams and customers. This episode offers valuable insights into how a cohesive and inclusive brand message can create lasting community impact and drive organizational success. Tune in to discover how transformative leadership and effective branding go hand-in-hand.


Guest: Tom Howell, Principal at Hundred Trees LLC

Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG

https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/message-into-the-community-with-tom-howell

Ever wondered how some leaders can transform teams and foster lasting organizational change? In this episode, you'll uncover the secret strategies behind effective leadership as we chat with Kevin Pickhart, Executive Chairman of Ferris Systems International. From his early days at Xerox to a remarkable 24-year journey as CEO at Ferris Systems, Kevin shares invaluable lessons learned and the profound impact of his mentor, Dr. Lee Thayer.

Discover how Kevin tackled communication challenges within his organization by shifting his focus to deeper issues of alignment and respect. Learn from a pivotal moment in his career when unconventional advice reshaped his approach to leadership, offering powerful insights into creating a unified and effective organizational culture. By listening, you'll gain a fresh perspective on strategic problem-solving and the importance of a leader's focus on organizational dynamics.

Join us as we explore the vital role of meaningful communication in both business and healthcare settings. Kevin dives into the concept of aligning customer needs with business goals and the significance of lifelong learning and leadership evolution. With rich personal anecdotes and wisdom, this episode promises to equip you with strategies for sustainable growth and resilience within your teams. Don't miss out on these invaluable leadership insights!

Guest: Kevin Pickhardt, Executive Chairman at Pharos Systems International
Host: Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCG

https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/meaning-management-with-kevin-pickhardt

Embark on an enlightening exploration of leadership and financial acumen with me, Chris Comeaux, as I engage in a deep dive with CEO Terry Swatley of Diversified Health Technologies LLC. In this episode of the Anatomy of Leadership, we discus the importance of margin in leadership and how it is a tool to achieve the mission of an organization.

Discover how Terry's leap from public accounting to hospice care revolutionized the healthcare industry, with loyalty as his guiding light. This episode unveils the human stories behind the numbers, proving that financial figures are more than mere data—they're a narrative of our collective actions and decisions.

Swatley emphasizes the need to generate a margin to sustain operations and allocate resources effectively. Swatley, also highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with good people and building trust within the team. He believes that numbers are not just numbers, but a quantification of actions, and leaders should focus on connecting actions to the numbers to drive results. Additionally, he shares insights on managing through crisis and the value of teamwork.

Join us as we navigate the complex world of startup finance, where benchmarks serve as indispensable beacons guiding businesses to safe harbors. Terry and I dissect the cultural implications of financial strategies within a company, tackling the delicate balance between punitive measures and constructive growth. Through our dialogue, we unravel the mysteries of financial literacy, weighing the merits of hiring financial wizards against the benefits of cultivating this crucial skill within your team.

In our final chapter, we celebrate the unsung heroes whose value to their companies surpasses their paychecks by leagues. It's here that we recognize margin as a vital lifeline, a buffer that ensures organizations not only survive but flourish in the face of adversity. As Terry and I reflect on personal anecdotes that underscore the intimate bond between actions and financial outcomes, we affirm the collective strength that emerges when purpose unites a team. So tune in and absorb the wisdom that bridges leadership, margin, and mission, fostering a robust understanding of the anatomy of leadership.

https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/margin-with-terry-swatley

When we consider the threads that connect us to our past and guide us towards the future, storytelling emerges as the fundamental loom. On our latest episode of "The Anatomy of Leadership," we're honored to host Shane Snow, a journalist renowned for his knack for weaving narratives that captivate and inspire. Together, we peel back the layers of how storytelling influences leadership, from the cherished memories in end-of-life care to the crafted brand identities that businesses like American Express use to forge deeper connections with consumers.

Have you ever considered the stories that shape your life, the ones you share and the ones you're a part of? Our conversation with Shane reveals just that, drawing on his experiences as an author, entrepreneur, and new father to highlight the transformative power of storytelling. We uncover the impact of personal and shared narratives in hospice care, the art of brand storytelling, and the role of storytelling in driving change and fostering leadership. Shane's perspective on the superpower of connecting dots across industries illuminates the indispensable role of authenticity and emotion in the stories we tell.

As we close the chapter on this engaging dialogue, we leave you with a compelling thought: the importance of continual learning and viewing others as essential characters in our collective narrative. I invite you to subscribe and join us in exploring the vast landscape of leadership, supported by the wisdom of guests like Shane Snow, who remind us of the lasting bonds and communities built through the art of storytelling. Remember, every person enriches the tapestry of our shared human experience, and it's the stories we create and share that weave that tapestry into something truly magnificent.

Guest:

Shane Snow
Acclaimed journalist, global explorer, and award-winning tech and media entrepreneur. He has performed comedy on Broadway, has been in the running for the Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism, and is the bestselling author of three books on the science of human behavior: Dream Teams, Smartcuts, and The Storytelling Edge. His writing has appeared in GQ, Fast Company, Wired, The New Yorker, and more.
www.shanesnow.com

Host:

Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN / TCG

https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership/mission-with-shane-snow

Discover the nuanced art of leadership and the transformative power of coaching as Brian Jaudon, the visionary behind Pisgah Coaching Institute, joins me in a captivating dialogue. His unique blend of internal family systems with the five stages of gift development has revolutionized the way we approach nurturing our intrinsic leadership qualities. Through his stories and experiences, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how to sense and attune to an individual's essence, a skill that Brian has perfected over his extensive career. This episode promises to leave you with a profound appreciation for the potential within each of us to lead and inspire.

Life's journey is filled with unexpected turns, and in our conversation, we traverse through these serendipitous moments that shape our paths. I recount how a chance encounter profoundly altered the career of a hospice care regulator, and we reflect on how our work and the people we meet are possibly predestined to guide us towards our true calling. From the evolution of rigid thinkers to balanced leaders, we explore the ways in which mentoring and coaching can unlock one's ability to influence and achieve harmony in both personal and professional realms.

Wrapping up this episode, I invite you to explore the concept of 'Pisgah sight,' a perspective that turns the impossible into the possible. We delve into the significance of recognizing and honoring your unique gifts and how to utilize them in service of a greater vision. As we reflect on the essence of a 'full-lived life' and the symphony of one's life song, you'll be inspired to ponder whether you are actively contributing to the melody that resonates with your deepest passions. Join us for an episode that promises not just to enlighten but also to embolden you to be the change you wish to see.