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.
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 nurturing employees to solve problems.
27:49 - 35:06: Trust as the Foundation of Business
Ken emphasizes trust and candor as critical for long-term client relationships, while John ties this to accountability and team empowerment.
35:06 - 40:09: Delegation vs. Abdication
John and Ken discuss the importance of delegating responsibly, with Ken sharing a story about empowering an employee, Dimitri, to create a standout product.
40:09 - 47:39: Serva Health’s Patient-First Mission
Ken passionately explains Serva Health’s commitment to patient care, emphasizing the role of nurses and the company’s refusal to be purely transactional.
47:39 - End: Closing and Call to Action
John thanks Ken for his insights, and they wrap up with a focus on Serva Health’s mission and the value of their partnership.
Keywords:
leadership, entrepreneurship, radical candor, team accountability, patient-first business, Serva Health, business development, management by walking around, delegation vs abdication, trust in leadership, continuous learning, healthcare innovation, employee empowerment, crisis leadership, relationship selling, LinkedIn strategies, business ownership, compassionate leadership, Ken King, John Yankanich, podcast for entrepreneurs
