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Kent Thiry: View from the Top
30 segments available
Kent Thiry, CEO of DaVita, explains to a Stanford Graduate School of Business audience on November 17, 2011, that leadership is not something that can easily be taught. Management can be taught, but leadership is a human skill that requires learning about yourself and other human beings. More about the View From The Top speaker series: http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/vftt All View From The Top videos: http://www.youtube.com/course?list=EC5C14B375A7F2FEA8
Segments Timeline
The Power of Companies for Good
Kent Thiry discusses his vision for DaVita, emphasizing that companies can be a force for good while fulfilling their capitalist responsibilities. He reflects on the traditional view of capitalism and contrasts it with a more enlightened perspective that sees business leadership as a moral endeavor, not just a profit-driven one.
"okay it's an honor to be with you guys here today I'll try to cover a bunch of stuff kind of quickly and then we can get to Q&A which a lot of times I think is the most thought provoking for for every..."
Redefining Business Leadership
Thiry critiques the outdated notion of business leadership as merely maximizing profits within ethical boundaries. He argues for a broader moral conscience in business decisions, highlighting the importance of considering the societal impact of corporate actions and the potential for companies to contribute positively to communities.
"the the basic premise I think you guys may not face this but my generation I'm 55 I don't know how much younger Garf might be than me or or others that you come speak that our generation of Business S..."
Profits as a Means, Not an End
In this segment, Thiry explains that profits should be viewed as a means to achieve broader societal goals rather than an end in themselves. He draws parallels between jobs and profits, emphasizing that both should serve the greater good of the community and contribute to a healthy economy.
"companies have this incredible infrastructure administratively and culturally in terms of communication and understanding of each other uh that corporations can mobilize and do more good in the commun..."
Ten Thoughts on Leadership
Thiry introduces ten key thoughts on leadership that have shaped DaVita's culture. He emphasizes the importance of being a force for good in the lives of employees and the community, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these leadership principles.
"similarly what we say is that profits are fine if you look at them like tax to the government right it's okay to pay taxes to the government if the government is providing competent Services transpare..."
This Is Not a Dress Rehearsal
Thiry shares a powerful reminder that life is not a rehearsal, urging leaders to reflect on their true goals and fulfillment. He highlights the importance of self-awareness and the need to align one's actions with what truly matters in life.
"that we've taken away and then we can kick whatever around you'd like to uh some of these again I I sensitive to in this setting because you're such a a thoughtful group and such a thoughtful institut..."
Identifying What Matters Most
In this segment, Thiry discusses the challenge of identifying the most important aspects of life. He encourages leaders to rigorously evaluate how their time and resources align with their stated priorities, revealing a common disconnect among executives.
"thought number two and it's from a very very famous esteemed philosopher called John Cougar melon camp and he said the most important thing in life is to figure out the most important things in your l..."
Leadership is Perception
Thiry emphasizes that true leadership is defined by how others perceive you, not by your self-assessment. He shares personal experiences with 360-degree feedback, illustrating the importance of understanding how one's actions and behaviors are experienced by others.
"third is just as beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder leadership is in the eyes of the lead it does not matter one bit not one bit what kind of leader you think you are you are the type of leader othe..."
The Importance of Caring
Thiry stresses that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. He advises new leaders to focus on building genuine relationships and demonstrating care for their teams rather than solely showcasing their capabilities.
"directors and it's shared with the top 3,000 people in our in our village so if I'm not walking the talk I'm held publicly uh to account and uh and periodically I've I've taken my 360 home uh I just a..."
Management vs. Leadership Skills
In this concluding segment, Thiry differentiates between management as a business skill and leadership as a human skill. He advocates for a deeper understanding of human nature and self-awareness as essential components of effective leadership.
"vague sense is that you at least regard yourself as successful and and uh and so it was good but but what also it led to in that particular case is for a while not that long but for a while was actual..."
Ownership in the Workplace
In this thought-provoking segment, Thiry uses the analogy of a rental car to illustrate employee engagement. He questions how much ownership employees feel towards their work and the organization, emphasizing the importance of fostering a sense of co-ownership to enhance commitment and performance.
"of practices techniques Etc can be deemed totally acceptable motivational useful helpful inspirational to folks who work with you uh it's much more about about who you are as a human uh of course it d..."
Honoring Human Behavior
Thiry discusses the significance of recognizing and rewarding human behavior over mere business accomplishments. He shares how DaVita honors core values and encourages leaders to focus on the human aspects of their teams, fostering a culture that values integrity and teamwork.
"for and the people they work for and yeah those are real constraints that affect what you can do but they don't affect whether or not you lead what do leaders do I I say this and at first it sounds ag..."
Intentionality in Leadership
Thiry emphasizes the importance of intentionality in leadership. He explains that leaders must be genuine in their relationships with team members, as people can sense whether a leader's intentions are self-serving or focused on the growth and well-being of others.
"noticed that no one washes a rental car they very very rare because they don't own it and what so many leaders don't know is whether you have 10 people working for you or with you or 40,000 how well d..."
Refilling Your Cup
In this insightful segment, Thiry shares a Buddhist saying: 'One cannot pour from an empty cup.' He stresses the importance of self-care and personal growth for leaders, explaining that to effectively support others, leaders must first ensure their own well-being and fulfillment.
"you're driving a lot of people have have no real clue and without calling the question without asking the question without letting the people speak about their degree of ownership or lack there of you..."
Creating Leaders, Not Followers
Thiry concludes with a powerful message about the role of leaders in developing other leaders. He asserts that true leadership is about empowering others and fostering an environment where individuals can grow and thrive, ultimately benefiting the organization and the community.
"what we've done miscellaneous thought number nine then it goes 9 to 12 that's a the uh a community produces most what it honors most and this one's very important at the Vita we reward business accomp..."
The Power of Intentionality
Kent Thiry emphasizes the importance of intentionality in leadership, explaining that people can sense whether a leader's relationship with them is genuine or merely a means to an end. He argues that true leadership is about creating other leaders, not just followers, and that a leader's job is to care about the growth of others.
"values all by election let me go on to number 10 the uh and that is that intentionality rules intentionality rules that people can smell your intentionality and whether or not that your relationship w..."
Refilling Your Cup
Thiry shares a Buddhist saying, 'one cannot pour from an empty cup,' highlighting the necessity for leaders to take care of their own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He stresses that without self-care, leaders will struggle to support others effectively, and he discusses how DaVita aims to foster life leaders, not just business leaders.
"when you think about growing an organization and then maybe I'll do uh do one additional one before stopping the uh a lot of you are going to go on to pretty intense careers not for-profit world for-p..."
The Journey of Self-Improvement
Kent Thiry reflects on his personal journey of leadership and self-improvement, likening it to overcoming alcoholism. He discusses the importance of continuous self-assessment and accountability in addressing behavioral shortcomings, emphasizing that true change requires consistent effort and awareness.
"there and now turn it to questions comments no embarrassing stories from Chrissy you're not a student here you're not allowed to speak so I understood from you that leadership was more about Behavior ..."
Feedback and Growth
In this segment, Thiry discusses the challenges of providing balanced feedback as a leader. He acknowledges his tendency to focus on negative feedback and the need to improve his positive reinforcement, illustrating how this impacts team morale and individual growth.
"and and I'm never tempted uh and so so for me on the on part of the questions in a number of these items I've literally had to give myself a daily score that if I waited for the next year I mean I'd b..."
Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Thiry recounts the difficult circumstances he faced when he joined DaVita, highlighting how a crisis can serve as a unique opportunity for leaders. He explains how he leveraged the heightened attention during tough times to communicate core values and foster a culture of trust and commitment among employees.
"positive to negative feedback I'm sure hi thanks for coming when you entered Avita you found a company where morale was very low and people were feeling frustrated and scared of the situation ation ho..."
Speaking Dreams into Existence
Kent Thiry discusses the importance of articulating a vision as a leader. He shares how openly expressing his aspirations for DaVita helped him and his team stay committed to their goals, even in the face of skepticism. This practice of vocalizing dreams fosters accountability and motivates collective effort towards achieving them.
"so so one was we started talking about the core values and developing our own right away and and this was more intense than you might guess because my first meeting was in a group about half this size..."
From Team Building to Life Leadership
Thiry reflects on his past experiences in team building and how they shaped his approach at DaVita. He contrasts his previous focus on business goals with his current commitment to developing leaders who positively impact their communities, emphasizing the deeper purpose behind leadership.
"first so bunch of little examples in metaphors but we I talked about it out loud uh there were times one night it was a group again about half the size I went up to my room and cried after that I talk..."
Cultural Sustainability in Leadership
In this segment, Thiry addresses how to maintain a vibrant company culture at DaVita. He outlines the importance of having a structured plan that includes language, traditions, and rituals to reinforce the company's values. Thiry emphasizes that these elements are crucial for creating a sustainable culture that resonates with all employees, regardless of their backgrounds.
"decision to go to Dita was a very tortuous family decision uh very tough whether or not I should do it and so I for the first time in my life I had to give serious life thought to what I job I should ..."
Investing in Cultural DNA
Thiry explains how DaVita invests in its culture through initiatives like the two-day Academy for employees, which focuses on the company's mission and values. He discusses the significance of creating a strong cultural foundation that supports both personal and professional growth, ensuring that the essence of DaVita remains intact even as the organization evolves.
"different thank you thank you hi um once you set the culture in the beta how do you prevent uh people from being drained out so that they either leave or that culture just becomes that knowledge and i..."
Rituals and Traditions for Community
Thiry elaborates on the role of rituals and traditions in reinforcing company culture. He draws parallels between societal celebrations and corporate practices, explaining how DaVita implements regular events to honor employees and reflect on shared values. This approach helps to create a sense of community and belonging among team members.
"dead so first of all we thought about language Traditions rituals it there's no you think about any society any tribe any Village they have Traditions they have rituals they have language because it's..."
Balancing Performance and Fulfillment
In this segment, Thiry addresses the challenge of balancing high performance standards with employee fulfillment. He asserts that there is no inherent conflict between the two and emphasizes the need for clarity in expectations. Thiry discusses how DaVita separates performance metrics from mission-driven values, ensuring that both aspects are addressed without compromising the other.
"systematic way on top of the ad hoc events uh and then we we put a lot of money in it and so our DV University classes have a highly unusual mix of stuff around self-reflection introspection life purp..."
The Village Metaphor in Leadership
Thiry introduces the metaphor of a village to illustrate the interconnectedness of performance and community values. He explains that just as a community thrives on the contributions of its members, so too must a company ensure that all employees are engaged and contributing positively. This perspective fosters a culture of accountability and support within DaVita.
"creating fulfilling environment there and so first of all you have but but we try we create that Clarity because if you don't create that Clarity up front in particular with us we got 2 200 managers d..."
Spirituality in the Workplace
Thiry discusses the spiritual aspect of life and its relevance in the workplace. He clarifies that while faith is not a topic of discussion at DaVita, the company acknowledges the spiritual dimensions of human experience. Thiry emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where employees can explore their spiritual beliefs without imposing any specific ideology.
"who don't contribute and don't show up for work doesn't make for a sustainable so we used the metaphor we're very clear intellectually up front and then you recognize that there's always going to be s..."
Managing the Dying Experience
In this segment, Thiry reflects on the challenges of managing the emotional aspects of care for patients facing mortality. He acknowledges that DaVita has room for improvement in supporting both employees and families during these difficult times. Thiry introduces the Circle of Life program, aimed at enhancing the company's approach to end-of-life care and fostering a sense of community.
"that seems to work if I could just add um because the the subject matter that you deal with your employees must have to contemplate those issues you know if you have people on dialysis that have a you..."
Influential Mentors in My Journey
Kent Thiry shares the impact of key mentors throughout his life, including high school teachers and leaders from Bain & Company. He emphasizes how these individuals shaped his values and leadership style, helping him navigate the complexities of his career and personal growth.
"dealing with it right after and if you're in a clinic it can be tough you're 15% I means you're going to have a number of people dying every single year and of course for the family it's less often bu..."
Consulting vs. Industry: Lessons Learned
Thiry contrasts his experiences in consulting with his long career in industry, discussing how consulting can enhance certain skills but may not prepare one for the human accountability required in leadership roles. He advises future leaders to focus on their weaknesses and gain practical experience to become well-rounded managers.
"grateful for because I without those five again going outside the family uh there's I would have done a lot more damage than I have hi thank you uh you spent a number of years in Consulting and then h..."