This episode names and explains "operational blindness": the invisible visibility gap in sterile processing (SPD) that disconnects internal metrics from organizational outcomes, creating cost overruns, OR delays, and hidden quality risk.

Using the IBM parallel, the host shows how hospitals must fix upstream systems—not just people—by building new metrics, feedback loops, and an operating system (Sterile by Design) to restore transparency and unlock perioperative performance.

In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs recounts Lou Gerstner’s 1993 turnaround of IBM—how he saved the company not by firing people but by changing the underlying beliefs, measurements, and systems that trapped talent.

He draws direct parallels to healthcare, especially sterile processing, arguing that invisible beliefs and broken systems—not staff—are often the root cause of failure and wasted resources.

The episode introduces the concept of operational blindness, previews the book "Operational Blindness," and points listeners to free resources and assessments to identify and fix systemic problems.

In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs challenges organizations especially in healthcare to stop letting tradition block progress. He explains "operational blindness," why conformity kills innovation, and how leaders must pair courage (gumption) with evidence and systems to drive real change.

Listeners will learn five principles for innovation-driven leadership: question everything, prioritize impact over optics, build a coalition, make failure safe, and lead with evidence. Practical steps and a call to action close the episode: identify one unquestioned tradition and begin redesigning it.

This episode exposes why hospitals break under pressure: not because of staffing shortages but because systems are built to survive, not scale. Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs walks through how to diagnose a facility’s "shaking point," the signs of survival infrastructure, and why slowing down strategically creates lasting speed.

He outlines a practical playbook—map failures, design for 150% capacity, pilot changes in parallel, standardize processes, and measure stability—and shares a sterile processing case study that cut overtime, eliminated agency spend, and reduced turnover while increasing capacity.

In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs diagnoses a leadership famine in healthcare caused by promoting technical stars into roles they aren’t trained for. He explains the "clinical excellence trap," why clinical skill ≠ leadership capacity, and the systemic issues that keep organizations repeating the mistake.

The episode outlines five essential leadership skills—systems thinking, emotional intelligence, change management, a development mindset, and strategic foresight—and offers clear fixes: separate career tracks, assess capability not just credentials, create apprenticeships and development ramps, invest in sustained training, and hold leaders accountable for developing others.

Practical, urgent, and solution-focused, this episode shows how to stop accidentally finding leaders and start intentionally building them to create resilient healthcare organizations.

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In episode 31 of Bread to Lead, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs exposes the "trauma budget"—how hospitals fund emergency fixes while starving prevention. He explains why crisis spending masks hidden long-term costs, shares real-world examples, and outlines a prevention-focused budget framework that measures ROI, aligns funding with strategy, and builds sustainable systems. Leaders will learn practical steps to shift from firefighting to designing resilient organizations.

Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs returns to tackle the leadership and staffing crisis in American hospitals, diagnosing how reliance on temporary staffing erodes culture, budgets, and patient care.

This episode outlines practical design principles—pipeline development, transparent compensation, strategic scheduling, and listening leadership—and challenges leaders to move from short-term fixes to sustainable system redesign.

Want to get access to the upcoming masterclasses, live events and exclusive resources needed to be a great leader.. go to bredtolead.com

Welcome to SPD 911 with your host, Dr. Jake Taylor-Jacobs, as we delve into the critical issues of the sterile processing department (SPD). Joined by Sharon Green-Golden, a renowned leader in compliance, and Derek Jones, a specialist in operational efficiency, the show focuses on equipping SPD leaders with strategies to tackle compliance concerns and streamline operations. In this episode, we revisit the important topic of mental health in SPD, discussing the high-pressure environment that can lead to burnout and anxiety among staff.

The conversation explores proactive leadership, emphasizing the importance of empathy, psychological safety, and being proactive in addressing challenges before they escalate. We discuss strategies for SPD leaders to be involved in hospital-wide preventative strategies rather than being reactive.

Join our free Executive Edge community to participate live and catch the greatest central sterile processing live show on earth every Wednesday at 12 p.m. CST.

In this episode, we delve into the critical aspects of leadership beyond just task management. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on people, understanding their unique needs, and offering personalized guidance.

The conversation highlights the challenges faced by leaders and the significance of staying mission-focused despite the daily grind. Additionally, it underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and standards in high-stress environments and knowing when to step away if unable to perform effectively.

The episode also explores the role of leaders in fostering a mentally healthy work environment by supporting employees' well-being. Finally, it discusses the need for proactive measures over reactive solutions in maintaining patient safety, particularly in the context of hospital leadership and operational roles.

In this powerful episode of SPD 911, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs, Sharon Green-Golden, and Derek Jones Sr. tackle the unspoken realities of working in Sterile Processing. From the fear culture that silences professionals who report compliance violations to the mental health struggles that go unnoticed, this conversation is raw, real, and necessary.

🔥 Topics Covered:

💡 Key Takeaway: You have the power to protect patients AND your integrity. Knowing the regulatory standards, documenting violations properly, and taking control of your own mental health can make a difference.

💬 Join the Conversation! Want to ask questions live? Join the Executive Edge Community for free at SPD911.com and be part of the movement to elevate the sterile processing industry.

📅 Catch SPD 911 Live Every Wednesday at 12 PM CST!

#SterileProcessing #SPD911 #Leadership #Compliance #PatientSafety #MentalHealtj