From humble beginnings to the heights of the pharmaceutical industry, Amy Bricker, former president of Express Scripts, sits down with Bonnie to recount her extraordinary career path. Amy takes us on a tour of her formative years, where the dream of becoming a community pharmacist in her small town set the stage for an incredible journey. It's a story that unfolds across the pillars of persistence, vision, and a heartfelt drive to transform healthcare, proving that one's origin is no boundary to professional triumph.

Navigating the complexities of the healthcare system requires more than just knowledge; it requires passion and a desire to bring about real change. Amy delves into the intricate world of pharmacy benefit managers and how her role at Express Scripts played a pivotal part in managing medication costs for an array of clients from various sectors. Amy also delves into how creating and sustaining a high-performance culture in business isn't for the faint-hearted, especially in the face of mergers and acquisitions. Amy reflects on the challenges she faced while steering Express Scripts through such transformative times and shares valuable insights on the power of a positive environment and the intricacies of balancing professional success with personal growth and self-discovery. Key points throughout points include:

• Unlocking potential: Embracing the call to make a greater impact
• Express Scripts: The role of pharmacy benefit managers in healthcare and communities
• Leading Express Scripts through mergers, acquisitions and a global pandemic
• The importance of deliberate leadership and consistent actions
• How to overcome the challenges of blending cultures
• Embracing Change: Recognizing the seasons of opportunity
• Navigating a legal battle and new paths to fulfilment
• The importance of staying true to yourself and recognizing the call for change

"It's less to me about putting slogans on walls or coming up with a mission statement that we’ll all recite, but how do you do business inside that organization?" – Amy Bricker.

Real Life Real Leaders is dedicated to exploring the real stories behind some of the world's most outstanding inspirational leaders. Each new episode teaches the highs and lows of building a successful business and uncovers the attributes that make a great leader.

Get connected socially with Amy Bricker:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bricker/

Get connected socially with host Bonnie Hagemann:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhagemann/

https://edainc.io/

https://mobile.twitter.com/bonnie_hagemann

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/real-life-real-leaders-podcast/

This podcast is proudly produced in partnership with podlad.com

Imagine unlocking the secret sauce to a thriving workplace culture. That's exactly what Garry Ridge, chairman emeritus of WD-40 Company, unveils in our latest episode of Real Life Real Leaders. With Garry's remarkable journey from a humble Aussie fax machine to the helm of a global brand, we uncover how the heart of WD-40's success lies in its culture—a culture that makes coming to work feel like contributing to a grander mission, learning, and heading home fulfilled.

“Culture is a competitive advantage and that we, as leaders, have a real responsibility, and that is to create a place where people go to work every day, they make a contribution to something bigger than themselves, they learn something new, they're protected and they're set free by a compelling set of values, and they go home happy – Garry Ridge

This isn't just about business; it's about fostering joy in families and communities worldwide. This is a a masterclass in nurturing a work environment that is not just a place of employment, but a source of happiness and growth.

Further key points throughout include:

• Learn about Garry Ridge's "crockpot approach" to building a strong corporate culture, which led WD-40 to global success with a 98% employee satisfaction rate.

• Find out how WD-40 maintained its workforce during the pandemic due to a resilient culture.

• Benefit from Dr. Rebecca Homkus's "Survive, Reset, Thrive" strategy for achieving growth during volatile times.

• Understand Garry Ridge's belief that a supportive workplace contributes to happier families and communities, leading to a more joyful world.

• Hear about Garry’s upcoming book “Any Dumb Ass Can Do It”.

“If I can do this, anybody can do it, because I'm consciously incompetent and probably wrong and roughly right in most circumstances.” – Garry Ridge

Real Life Real Leaders is dedicated to exploring the real stories behind some of the world's most outstanding inspirational leaders. Each new episode teaches the highs and lows of building a successful business and uncovers the attributes that make a great leader.

Resources:

Get connected socially with Garry Ridge:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

https://thelearningmoment.net/

Get connected socially with host Dave Komar:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davekomar/

https://edainc.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/real-life-real-leaders-podcast/

This podcast is proudly produced in partnership with podlad.com

Leadership extends beyond mere guidance; it's a continuous journey of learning, growth, and facing the storm head-on, no matter how daunting it might appear. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership and navigating times of turbulence with Aku Pauline Odinkemelu, a towering figure in Nigeria's economic and banking landscape whose impact reaches far beyond her borders.

Despite starting her career in law, Aku discovered her passion and found her calling in banking, rising to executive positions and serving on the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, overcoming Nigeria's economic challenges. Growing up as one of nine children, Aku shares how education, family support and mentorship steered her professional trajectory and fueled her commitment to growth. Aku shares her remarkable account of navigating through times of significant unrest and danger in River State, emphasizing the role of strategic thinking when steering her teams to safety. Join us as we celebrate Aku's inspirational leadership journey—a testament to resilience, integrity, and unwavering courage. Key points include:

• A stroke of chance: Aku's career evolution from legal counsel to banking leader
• Tackling conflicts of interest, inflation and currency challenges in Nigeria's economy
• The greatest gift of education and the role of family support in shaping careers
• Building a legacy of impact and nurturing future leaders
• Influential mentors: Shaping values and leadership principles
• Career turning points: Overcoming challenges and navigating the social unrest in Nigeria
• Crisis Management: Optimizing strategic security measures amidst turbulent times
• Spiritual resilience: Finding strength and balance in faith

"You have to find that inner strength to detach from everything that is happening. Connect with your team, reach out to your networks, and see how you can analyze and get to the root causes of whatever challenges you face." – Aku Pauline Odinkemelu.

Real Life Real Leaders is dedicated to exploring the real stories behind some of the world's most outstanding inspirational leaders. Each new episode teaches the highs and lows of building a successful business and uncovers the attributes that make a great leader.

Resources:

Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter

https://www.ouricebergismelting.com/

Get connected socially with Aku Pauline Odinkemelu:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aku-odinkemelu-b3823070

Get connected socially with host Bonnie Hagemann:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhagemann/

https://edainc.io/

https://mobile.twitter.com/bonnie_hagemann

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/real-life-real-leaders-podcast/

This podcast is proudly produced in partnership with podlad.com