Jim Geckler | From Active Addiction to CEO

In this episode of 12 Geniuses, host Don MacPherson interviews Jim Geckler, CEO of the Harmony Foundation in Estes Park, Colorado. Jim bravely and candidly shares his transformative journey from battling active addiction to leading a renowned treatment center, offering invaluable insights into leadership, change, and emotional intelligence.

Key Lessons for Global Business Leaders:

Embracing Personal Transformation: Jim's narrative underscores the power of personal change, illustrating how overcoming significant personal challenges can lead to profound professional growth.

Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Jim’s experiences highlight the importance of understanding and compassion in leadership, emphasizing that emotional intelligence is crucial in guiding teams through disruption and change.

How addiction is a powerful barrier for reaching one’s potential: Jim journey from rock bottom to becoming an executive illustrates how devastatingly powerful addiction is in preventing people from performing at their highest levels.

Guidance for spotting people at risk: By fostering an environment that prioritizes support and trust, Jim demonstrates how leaders can cultivate resilience and adaptability within their organizations.

Advice for dealing with employees or family members struggling with addiction : Lies, slipping grades, late assignments, and abnormal behavior are a few of the warning signs that Jim says are important signals that someone might be struggling or on the precipice of addiction. It’s important these signs are addressed and not ignored.

About 20 million people in the United States have substance abuse problems and 72,000 Americans lost their lives from drug overdoses in 2017. The chances are you have a family member, a friend, a work colleague, or neighbor who struggles with addiction.

This episode offers a profound exploration of how personal adversity can inform and enhance leadership capabilities, providing global business leaders with actionable insights into managing change, fostering emotional intelligence, and leading with courage in the face of disruption.