When looking for the path to success, which way does one turn?
The road has many waypoints.
We talked with five Northeast Florida leaders who have guided their organizations and businesses for decades toward that destination.
They shared their lessons and advice, such as the payoff of listening, the need for self-awareness and the wisdom of changing course.
Here they share their insights into traveling a generational journey for the benefit of those who want to follow in their footsteps.
The retired CEO of Baptist Health says self-awareness is the most important dimension of leadership.
Hugh Greene, the retired CEO of Baptist Health, had a career grounded in people’s physical and spiritual health.
He studied pre-med while attending Wake Forest University but, as a minister’s son, he decided to attend a seminary rather than med school.
While a minister he became interested in health care and hospital administration. His administrative career started in Nashville and he came to Jacksonville to head Beaches Hospital that merged with Baptist Health.
When he became CEO, Baptist Medical Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital both were Downtown. Greene oversaw the hospital’s expansion. Baptist Health now is the area’s largest primary care network.
He retired June 29, 2019, after 30 years.
Life’s lessons
An important trait to me is self-awareness. This life lesson is learned probably out of mistakes because oftentimes you are unaware and it isn’t something even intentional. It’s something you don’t recognize you’re doing.
I can make the argument that self-awareness is the most important dimension of leadership. Those who are not self-aware are not conscious of the fact that people see them the way that they are.
With that comes being vulnerable, meaning you are willing to listen to others who suggest you made a mistake and having the ability to acknowledge that mistake. And if it hurts someone, you apologize for that mistake.
His advice
This is going to be a journey of self-awareness. Once you think you have arrived, you are fooling yourself. It’s a never-ending process. Be willing to do personal assessments and personality tests.
Have other close people around you who are willing to give you feedback. That can be friends, people within the organization and it can be mentors. I would advise a young person to have a strong mentor or mentors. That person cares about you and your career. That person is not only willing to give input and help give direction but they are also willing to serve as an example for you.