Episode 197: Leadership, Integrity, and the Moral Compass with Jay Youell

Episode 200: Leadership, Culture, and the Future of Healthcare with Dr. Britt Berrett

For this special 200th episode of the Healthcare Leadership Excellence Podcast, I welcome back Dr. Britt Berrett, Managing Director of the Healthcare Leadership Program at Brigham Young University and one of the earliest guests on the podcast. Over the past several years, Dr. Berrett’s insights on leadership, culture, and organizational transformation have continued to shape how I think about healthcare and the leaders who serve within it. We begin by discussing the state of healthcare today and the mission of the Healthcare Leadership Program at BYU. Dr. Berrett shares why he believes this is one of the most exciting periods in healthcare history and how leaders can navigate change by focusing on people, purpose, and service. Drawing from his experience leading major healthcare organizations, Dr. Berrett reflects on the transformation of a struggling Texas hospital that went from a toxic work environment to becoming one of the top-performing hospitals in the country. We explore the leadership principles behind that turnaround, including building trust, investing in employees, creating accountability, and developing future leaders. We also discuss the ideas behind his bestselling book, Patients Come Second, and why exceptional patient care begins with creating exceptional teams. Dr. Berrett explains how leadership culture directly influences organizational outcomes and why leaders must balance compassion with the courage to address toxic behaviors that undermine performance. Another key theme is the future of healthcare leadership. We talk about the next generation entering the profession, the opportunities created by innovation and technology, and why Dr. Berrett remains optimistic about the future despite the challenges facing healthcare organizations today. As we celebrate this 200th episode, there could be few guests more fitting for the conversation. Dr. Berrett brings together experience, humility, and a deep belief in the power of leadership to shape organizations, develop people, and improve the future of healthcare. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations [https://my.coachinggroupinc.com/resources/influence], a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister [https://coachinggroupinc.com/about-us/]? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/healthcare-leadership-excellence-podcast/]. 👉 Have access to leadership materials [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/pages/digital-products] that will level up your game. 👉 Contact us on our website [https://coachinggroupinc.com/contact-us/]. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGroup]. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/].

Episode 199: Conflict, Assumptions, and the Conversations That Matter with Dr. Jason Kuhl

In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Jason Kuhl, Chief Medical Officer at Providence Medford Medical Center, for a conversation about conflict, communication, and leadership. Using a set of conflict-resolution cards created by mediator Kimberly Best, we explore practical ways leaders can navigate difficult conversations more effectively. We begin with the idea of choosing generous assumptions and why assuming good intent creates space for understanding rather than judgment. Through real-world examples, we discuss how curiosity, humility, and thoughtful questions can help de-escalate tense situations and keep conversations productive. We also talk about apologies, misunderstandings, and feedback. Dr. Kuhl shares why apologizing for the impact of a message can be different from apologizing for the action itself, and how simple questions like, “Tell me what you heard,” can uncover misunderstandings before they become larger conflicts. Another key theme is the difference between disagreement and opposition. We discuss why healthy teams make room for differing perspectives, how leaders can create cultures where people feel safe speaking up, and why strong relationships are often the foundation of productive conflict. The takeaway is simple: conflict is not something leaders should avoid. When approached with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to listen, it can become one of the most powerful tools for learning, growth, and better decision-making. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations [https://my.coachinggroupinc.com/resources/influence], a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister [https://coachinggroupinc.com/about-us/]? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/healthcare-leadership-excellence-podcast/]. 👉 Have access to leadership materials [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/pages/digital-products] that will level up your game. 👉 Contact us on our website [https://coachinggroupinc.com/contact-us/]. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGroup]. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/].

Episode 198: Compound Expertise, Critical Thinking, and Leading in the Age of AI with Tara Austraat-Churik

In this episode, I sit down with Tara Austraat-Churik, a healthcare and life sciences leader whose career has spanned consulting, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, AI, and organizational transformation. We discuss the importance of critical thinking in leadership and why many organizations spend too much time solving symptoms instead of root causes. Tara shares practical approaches for defining problems more effectively, creating space for deeper thinking, and avoiding the trap of constant reaction mode. We also explore self-leadership, the challenges of leading across generations, and what younger professionals need most from today's leaders. Tara offers insights on mentorship, career development, and building environments where people can grow and contribute at a higher level. A significant part of our conversation focuses on artificial intelligence. We discuss how leaders can use AI as a tool without outsourcing their judgment, where healthcare may see the greatest impact, and why critical thinking, communication, and human connection will remain essential skills regardless of technological change. Finally, Tara introduces the concept of compound expertise—the idea that combining experiences across multiple disciplines can create unique value and open new opportunities in an increasingly uncertain future. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations [https://my.coachinggroupinc.com/resources/influence], a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister [https://coachinggroupinc.com/about-us/]? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/healthcare-leadership-excellence-podcast/]. 👉 Have access to leadership materials [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/pages/digital-products] that will level up your game. 👉 Contact us on our website [https://coachinggroupinc.com/contact-us/]. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGroup]. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/].

Episode 197: Leadership, Integrity, and the Moral Compass with Jay Youell

In this episode, I sit down again with my longtime mentor and friend, Jay Youell. Jay was actually the very first guest on this podcast, and after nearly 200 episodes, I wanted to return to someone who had a tremendous influence on both my leadership and my life. We talk about integrity, trust, listening, and the importance of having a moral compass. Jay reflects on lessons from his father, how his faith transformed the way he leads, and why honoring your word still matters. He also shares practical wisdom on handling conflict, slowing conversations down, and truly listening to people instead of simply waiting to respond. A major theme throughout the conversation is culture. From leadership to cowboying to surfing to relationships, Jay explains how respect, consistency, humility, and humanity shape the environments we create around us. Toward the end, Jay offers guidance for younger leaders on choosing the right influences, managing priorities, and staying grounded in values that last over time. This was a deeply personal conversation for me, and one I believe will stay with listeners long after it ends. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations [https://my.coachinggroupinc.com/resources/influence], a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister [https://coachinggroupinc.com/about-us/]? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/healthcare-leadership-excellence-podcast/]. 👉 Have access to leadership materials [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/pages/digital-products] that will level up your game. 👉 Contact us on our website [https://coachinggroupinc.com/contact-us/]. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGroup]. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/].

Episode 196: Influence Under Pressure with Dr. Jason Kuhl

In this episode, I sit down again with Dr. Jason Kuhl to talk through one of the most important leadership skills: how to handle conflict when the stakes are high. We discuss why tough conversations often go sideways, especially when people feel rushed, defensive, or unheard. Dr. Kuhl and I talk about the need to slow the process down, name the tension in the room, and create enough safety for people to think clearly. We also explore the importance of preparation before difficult meetings. Leaders cannot just walk into conflict and hope it goes well. They need to understand the people, the motivations, the emotions, and the real problem underneath the surface. A key takeaway is that psychological safety is not the absence of threat. It is the presence of relationship. When leaders build trust before the meeting, they have a much better chance of guiding people through tension when it matters most. The conversation is practical, honest, and full of reminders that influence under pressure starts with preparation, curiosity, humility, and the willingness to slow down long enough to get it right. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations [https://my.coachinggroupinc.com/resources/influence], a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister [https://coachinggroupinc.com/about-us/]? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/healthcare-leadership-excellence-podcast/]. 👉 Have access to leadership materials [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/pages/digital-products] that will level up your game. 👉 Contact us on our website [https://coachinggroupinc.com/contact-us/]. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCoachingGroup]. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses [https://coachinggroupinc.thinkific.com/].