Radical Candor: Leading with Trust and a Patient-First Mission (AUDIO)

Ever wonder why your team won’t follow your lead, no matter how clear the path seems? In the premiere episode of Why Won’t They Do What I Tell Them to Do?, host John Yankanich sits down with Ken King, Chief Compliance Officer and co-founder of Serva Health, to explore the challenges of leadership, entrepreneurship, and driving change. Ken shares his journey from corporate CEO to founding a patient-first company, revealing hard-earned lessons from navigating crises like 9/11 and a factory shutdown. The duo dives into radical candor—a game-changing approach to building trust and accountability—and discusses Serva Health’s mission to prioritize compassion over profits. Packed with insights on empowering teams and overcoming resistance, this episode is a must-listen for leaders ready to inspire action. Tune in now to discover how to lead with heart and get results!   Episode Guest Details: Ken King is the Chief Compliance Officer and co-founder of Serva Health LLC, a South Jersey-based company revolutionizing patient engagement through high-touch, nurse-led support for clinical trials and commercial healthcare programs. With an MBA from The Wharton School and a background in physics and engineering, Ken brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and entrepreneurial vision to his leadership. His career spans roles as CEO of a private equity-backed company and executive positions at organizations like CRI Worldwide and PerkinElmer, where he honed his expertise in navigating complex business landscapes. Ken’s passion for patient-first solutions drove him to co-found Serva Health with his wife, Lucine, focusing on compassionate, data-driven healthcare support. A seasoned leader, he champions radical candor, continuous learning, and empowering teams to achieve excellence.

 

Key Takeaways:

Radical Candor Builds Trust and Accountability

John introduces radical candor as a leadership philosophy that combines high levels of care with unfiltered honesty. By genuinely caring for your team while providing clear, constructive feedback, leaders can foster trust, which is the foundation for accountability. Ken’s quick adoption of this concept shows how it can transform team dynamics, encouraging employees to align with a shared vision.

 

Listening is a Leader’s Superpower

Ken emphasizes that effective leadership often means closing your mouth and opening your ears. By actively listening to employees, leaders can uncover blind spots, discover innovative ideas (like Dimitri’s game-changing product), and build a culture where team members feel valued and empowered to contribute.

 

Delegate, Don’t Abdicate

The distinction between delegation and abdication is critical. Delegation involves entrusting employees with ownership of tasks while providing guidance and support. Abdication, however, is handing off responsibilities without follow-up, which can lead to failure. Leaders must balance empowerment with oversight, especially for high-stakes tasks.

 

Humility Drives Continuous Learning

Ken highlights arrogance as a barrier to progress. Leaders who remain open to learning, even from their own team, stay ahead in a competitive landscape. Continuous learning keeps businesses innovative and adaptable, as seen in Ken’s willingness to embrace John’s advice on business development.

 

A Patient-First Mission Sets You Apart

Serva Health’s commitment to prioritizing patients over profits—by hiring nurses to handle patient interactions—demonstrates how a purpose-driven mission can differentiate a company. This approach not only builds trust with clients but also inspires employees to align with a meaningful cause.

 

 

Chapter Markers: 00:00 - 01:33: Introduction and Technical Setup John and Ken discuss initial technical adjustments, ensuring a smooth recording session, and set the stage for the conversation. 01:33 - 04:01: Ken’s Entrepreneurial Journey Ken shares how he and his wife founded Serva Health, moving away from private equity constraints to build a company with greater decision-making freedom. 04:01 - 09:02: Lessons from Crisis Leadership Ken recounts a challenging period managing a factory shutdown, 9/11, and an employee’s tragic loss, highlighting resilience and the importance of staying calm under pressure. 09:02 - 13:23: Overcoming Team Resistance Ken discusses Serva Health’s struggle to shift from word-of-mouth success to structured business development, with John introducing strategies like relationship selling. 13:23 - 20:19: The Power of Radical Candor John introduces radical candor as a tool for building trust and accountability, while Ken reflects on the importance of high-engagement leadership and listening to employees. 20:19 - 27:49: Empowering Teams Through Engagement The conversation explores how management by walking around and listening fosters empowerment, with Ken sharing insights on nurtu