Elevate with Robert Glazer Elevate Classics: Bill George on Finding Your True North
Oct 9, 2025
Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and Harvard Business School executive fellow, dives into purpose-driven leadership. He shares pivotal lessons from his early career, including the importance of authentic leadership grounded in values. Bill discusses the challenges of hiring and accountability highlighted by a bribery scandal, and the significance of transparency in crises. He emphasizes discovering personal purpose through life's crucibles and the qualities next-generation leaders must embody, like empathy and courage.
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Leadership Is Built On Relationships
- Leadership is all about relationships, not just accelerating to the top.
- Moving fast without caring for people prevents others from wanting to follow you.
Early Career At The Pentagon
- Bill worked for the Department of Defense during Vietnam and reported to senior leaders including the Secretary of the Navy.
- That exposure taught him to learn from both strong and weak leaders.
Go See The Front Line
- Get out from behind your desk and see the front line yourself to verify reality.
- Front-line workers often save organizations and reveal what metrics hide.
