“Most leaders never get trained on how to support the health and well-being of their workforce,” says Dr. Richard Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Well-Being at Johns Hopkins Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Safeer, author of “A Cure for the Common Company,” discusses his shift from family medicine to spearheading workplace health initiatives. He stresses that true organizational change goes beyond superficial wellness programs, advocating for a fundamental shift in how companies view and support employee health.

Dr. Safeer highlights the critical role of leadership in modeling healthy behaviors and integrating well-being into the core business strategy. He challenges current practices, noting that less than 3% of Americans live fully healthy lifestyles, largely due to ineffective corporate support systems. His advice to HR leaders and executives is clear: prioritize genuine health habits and create a culture where well-being is as fundamental as any business operation. Through patience and persistence, Dr. Safeer believes that impactful, lasting changes can be achieved, transforming the workplace into a catalyst for well-being.

Quotes

• “We think that it’s our own responsibility to live a healthier life. Sure, we can be responsible for ourselves. But we also have to recognize that most of us don’t live on an island. We live with people in our home and we live with people in the workplace. And it’s really the collection of those forces that shape our ability to make healthier choices and have healthier emotions. One of my catchphrases is that well-being is a team sport because we really can’t win alone. (13:26 | Dr. Richard Safeer)

• “We can be proactive in the workplace… UKG did a study about a year and a half ago… And they found out that just as many people who said their spouse impacts their mental health also said their manager impacts their mental health. That’s how powerful we are as leaders. And I don’t think most leaders are trying to be a negative force in their team’s life, but they don’t recognize it. And then they aren’t helped. We don’t help them understand what they can do to be a more positive force.” (21:21 | Dr. Richard Safeer)

• “We need to understand that if we’re truly going to optimize the well-being of our workforce, we need to look at this not only as an individual challenge, but an organizational challenge, which will require organizational change.” (37:21 | Dr. Richard Safeer)

Links

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn more about Richard Safeer, MD

richardsafeer.com

linkedin.com/in/richardsafeer/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“The solution often lies in very effective and deep listening,” says host Mike Horne, as he shares insights with Jonathan Bennett, an advisor and executive coach with a background in purpose-driven leadership across various community settings. Jonathan’s unique path from novelist and poet to a pioneer of corporate social responsibility illustrates his dedication to principles like fairness and transparency. His insights reveal how narrative deeply influences leadership and strategy, bridging storytelling and business to enhance organizational dynamics.

In this episode, Jonathan discusses the critical role of values-driven leadership in addressing pressing societal challenges such as environmental sustainability and social equity. He highlights the importance of engaging clients and fostering value alignment in an evolving corporate landscape.

The conversation delves into the personal aspects of executive coaching, emphasizing trust and integrity as foundations for effective relationships and strategic business development.

With reflections on his poetic background, Jonathan underscores how deep listening and understanding—similar to the intricacies of poetry—are vital for driving meaningful organizational change and fostering a culture of innovation and success.

Quotes

• “I think that as humans, we’re drawn to stories.” (04:00 | Jonathan Bennett)

• “Coaching is a one-on-one, person-to-person, high-touch, high-cost business. And so the only real way you’re going to have somebody part with a significant amount of money is by providing service to them and getting to know them in a deep way. That can take a long time. It can take many touch points.” (19:06 | Jonathan Bennett)

• “When we can show up and do our best work without fear of retribution or ridicule, then we’re in a kind of psychologically safe work environment.” (30:06 | Jonathan Bennett)

• “What I love about poetry is it is a very quiet, private and small thing. But it’s precious. And I think that the space that happens between a leader and a coach is a very intimate one. And I liken it to poetry.” (33:15 | Jonathan Bennett)

Links

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn more about Jonathan Bennett

clearlythen.com

linkedin.com/in/bennettjonathan/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I’ve seen that small shifts in individuals’ approaches, behaviors, and actions can have a wide impact,” says Dr. Rachel Kindt, a scientific leadership coach with a background in biotech. With a PhD from MIT and a postdoctoral fellowship at UCSF, Dr. Kindt transitioned from a biotech executive to a leadership coach, focusing on helping scientists excel in leadership roles beyond the laboratory.

In this episode, Dr. Kindt discusses the unique challenges technical experts face when stepping into leadership roles in the biotech industry. She reflects on her journey from Vice President at Myocardia, a company acquired for $13 billion, to mentoring emerging science-based leaders, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence alongside technical expertise.

Dr. Kindt offers practical advice on how subtle behavioral changes can enhance leadership effectiveness and impact organizational performance. She details her work in equipping R&D leaders with essential soft skills to manage diverse teams and communicate the broader significance of their projects effectively.

Quotes

• “Being right is not everything. Being smart is not everything. Being the smartest person in the room—which sometimes I can be—is not always necessary or attractive.” (29:56 | Dr. Rachel Kindt)

• “Being in an organization that prioritized leadership development, my journey as a leader within the company was also a personal journey of growth. The things that I learned by leadership have helped me be a better spouse and a more patient parent. So I also feel that work is a great venue for not only doing amazing things in the world, but also for personal growth.” (35:25 | Dr. Rachel Kindt)

• “It’s a reductionist attitude in a way that in the end, an organization is a collection of the individual people and their behaviors. And the behavior of one—especially, but not exclusively if they’re in a leadership position—influences all of the people around them. So to me, I believe and I've seen that small shifts in individuals’ approaches and behaviors and actions can have a wide impact. (36:25 | Dr. Rachel Kindt)

Links

Learn more about Mike Horne on Linkedin

Email Mike at mike@mike-horne.com

Learn More About Executive and Organization Development with Mike Horne

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehorneauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikehorneauthor/,

LinkedIn Mike’s Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6867258581922799617/,

Schedule a Discovery Call with Mike: https://calendly.com/mikehorne/15-minute-discovery-call-with-mike

Learn more about Rachel Kindt, Ph.D.

www.rachelkindt.com

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

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm