Patrick Sallee on Owning Your Story - Chief Influencer - Episode # 023
E23

Patrick Sallee on Owning Your Story - Chief Influencer - Episode # 023

Patrick Sallee, is the President and CEO of Vibrant Health KC and the author of The Solitary CEO. In his book, Patrick generously shares stories that require immense vulnerability and humility, as well as the lessons he's learned and applied in his personal and professional life along with his road to sobriety. Patrick and Host Anthony Shop discuss how to break out of the siloes leaders build around themselves, address the specific needs of multiple stakeholders, and engage with a community to create profound change.

Takeaways:
  • Leaders should break down the silos they build around themselves and their work and reconnect with the purpose of their work to foster connection, succeed, and avoid becoming defensive or resentful towards their team and organization.
  • Prioritize the needs of the people you serve. For Patrick, in the non-profit sector, the key to handling the needs of multiple stakeholders is to keep the mission and the lives of those being served at the forefront. 
  • The focus of your leadership should not be yourself; it should be the mission you are working to accomplish. Addressing the needs of different stakeholders requires a specific strategy for each group; ensuring that all of these strategies align with the mission makes it possible to manage the completion of the mission. 
  • The best way to understand community members' issues is to talk with them and get them engaged in developing a solution to that problem. There is no better way to get buy-in for a project than by listening to the stakeholders' feedback.
  • When dealing with complex problems, if the members of a community lack the skills or knowledge to understand the problem and possible solutions properly, leaders should take the time to get them up to speed and teach them the necessary disciplines so that they can make educated decisions to solve the problems they face.
  • Own your mistakes and don’t try to hide them. Whether you’re interviewing for a job or negotiating a deal, if you try to conceal past mistakes, you allow others the chance to use those past mistakes against you. Be upfront and honest about who you are.

Quote of the Show:
  • “If I own it, and I say it first, you can't use it against me” - Patrick Sallee

Links:

Shout Outs:
  • The Power of Giving Away Power by Matthew Barzun

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Anthony Shop
Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Patrick Sallee
Guest
Patrick Sallee
Patrick Sallee, is the President and CEO of Vibrant Health KC and the author of The Solitary CEO. In his book, Patrick generously shares stories that require immense vulnerability and humility, as well as the lessons he's learned and applied in his personal and professional life along with his road to sobriety.
Robert Krueger
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.