Masters of Scale Rapid Response: "Be confident enough to show your vulnerability," w/Ken Frazier (Merck/General Catalyst)
Feb 17, 2022
Ken Frazier, former CEO of Merck and now an advisor at General Catalyst, dives into the transformative power of vulnerability and confidence in leadership. He discusses navigating life after high-pressure roles and the importance of empathy in post-pandemic recovery. Frazier also addresses the need for equitable hiring practices and the pivotal case against the NFL for discrimination. He advocates for kindness and understanding to bridge societal divides, emphasizing how businesses can champion health equity and foster inclusivity.
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Episode notes
Early Life Adaptability
- Ken Frazier discusses early life experiences that shaped his adaptability.
- These include being bused to a different school for desegregation and his mother's sudden death at age 11.
Pandemic Leadership
- The pandemic highlighted the importance of human connection in leadership.
- Leaders needed to address the whole person, acknowledging psychological well-being and demonstrating empathy.
Building Adaptability
- Adaptability includes cognitive, emotional, and dispositional aspects.
- Leaders must display confidence and a positive disposition during crises, even when facing uncertainty.