respecting people during, 79-80
at Ritz-Carlton, 57-58
speed in, 25
steps for successful, 25-36
U
urgency, 53
U.S. News Hospital of Tomorrow forum, 133
U.S. Office of Minority Health, 122
U.S. Public Health Service, 59
V
vacations, 83
values, 16-17
van Grinsven, Gerard, 57-58, 102
Vattikuti Urology Institute, 35-36, 52, 56
Veterans Affairs, 138-139
Virtual Nurse, 66
vision, 32-33, 77-78
volunteerism, 89-90
W
Walgreens, 6, 100, 138
Warden, Gail, 4, 22
innovation under, 59
quality focus of, 40
succession for, 8
in turnaround, 36
Wayne State University, 33, 117, 118-119
Weinberger, Marvin, 96
Wesselmann, Glenn, 10
West Bloomfield hospital, 55-58, 85-86, 102
White-Perkins, Denise, 108
wins, showing early, 34
Wisdom, Kimberlydawn, 108, 121-122, 136
women, 6-7, 99-101, 137
work-family balance, 17, 82-83
work flexibility, 104
workplace violence, 81
Y
yes, saying, 83-84
Z
Zarbo, Richard, 44, 62
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a book was my mother Elizabeth’s dream, something I never thought I would do. When she made me write book reports for her during my summer vacation in elementary school, I thought it was pretty cruel. However, although she has been gone for twenty years now, I have heard her voice of encouragement throughout the process of creating this book. My father, John, has always been my staunchest cheerleader, especially when the chips were down. Nothing pleases me more than still having him in my life as my book is completed.
There are countless people who have been central to my leadership journey and who have allowed my unconventional leadership style to flourish, but my inspiration has always come from the employees and physicians I have had the privilege of working with over my career. Their belief in me drove me to take risks, overcome obstacles, and always make decisions with them in mind.
You can never survive as an unconventional leader, however, without supportive mentors, bosses, and colleagues. I have been truly blessed to have exceptional role models and mentors, leadership colleagues, and community partners, especially during my years in Detroit. Gail Warden, Al Gilbert, Allan Gilmour, Gary Valade, Sandy Pierce, and the Ford Family (especially Martha Ford, Bill Ford, and Lynn Ford Alandt) have encouraged me to lead with boldness, but have always had my back during the tough times. Bob Riney, Jim Connelly, Bill Conway, Kathy Oswald, Rose Glenn, Edie Eisenmann, John Popovich, Joe Schmitt, Bill Schramm, Mark Kelley, and the late Tom Groth were faithfully at my side during many difficult days as we turned around, moved forward, thought differently, and stepped over landmines to achieve greatness at Henry Ford. These colleagues have provided extraordinary leadership, new ideas, and passion and have been a constant source of strength for me.
I have also had the pleasure of working with many innovators, in addition to those already mentioned. These are people who really put themselves “out there,” and made me feel confident that we could take risks and make big bets that would pay off—and they always did pay off! Mani Menon, Scott Dulchavsky, Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Dick Zarbo, Bill O’Neill, Mark Coticchia, and Gerard Van Grinsven have made me look really good due to their brilliance and vision.
My “inner circle” for the book has been incredibly important, and has made the process really enjoyable. Rose Glenn has been so helpful in every way, providing her literary expertise, her enthusiasm, and her support for all aspects of the project. She initiated the contact with Carolyn Monaco, who introduced us to Jacque Murphy, and the journey began. Carolyn has been a wonderful advisor and champion of my book, and Jacque has been the best writing partner and friend possible. To fit book writing into my already busy schedule was only accomplished because of the amazing support of my executive assistants, Kim Raniszeski and Yvonne Moyer, who not only made it happen, but also transitioned their jobs during this period, and provided daily encouragement that I should really do this! I have also been so fortunate to work with an innovative and talented publishing company, Bibliomotion, Inc. Erika Heilman, cofounder and publisher, and Alicia Simons, senior director of marketing, have been incredible to work with, and have taught me how to be an effective author.
The most important inspiration for this book has been my partner, Pam. Pam wrote her own book, Peace at Work, a couple of years ago, and has been a great supporter of the time and effort I have put into this process. She has also provided vital insights and objectivity during the editing of the manuscript, and she makes my life wonderful every day.
Table of Contents
Cover
Praise for Unconventional Leadership and Nancy Schlichting
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
INTRODUCTION Unconventional Leadership: My Personal Journey
CHAPTER 1 Risk Rejection and Be Bold in Your Career
CHAPTER 2 Learn to Turn It Around
CHAPTER 3 Use Quality to Achieve High Performance: The Baldrige Framework
CHAPTER 4 Find the Disruptors in Your Organization—and Listen to Them
CHAPTER 5 Make a Large Company Feel Small
CHAPTER 6 Being Different: The Strength of Diversity
CHAPTER 7 Detroit: Partner for Renewal
CHAPTER 8 Face the Future
Notes
Index
Acknowledgments
Unconventional Leadership Page 18