22: Acing 'The CEO Test,' with Kevin Sharer, Former Chairman and CEO, Amgen; Author, "The CEO Test"

08/12/21 • 48 min

Meet Kevin Sharer:

Kevin Sharer led Amgen for 20 years, first as President and then as CEO. He also co-authored The CEO Test: Master the Challenges That Make or Break All Leaders. Kevin served on several boards of directors and on the faculty of Harvard Business School. Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MS in aeronautical engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

Key Insights:

Kevin began his leadership journey in Navy submarines, translating his technical skills and interest in personal growth to his roles as President and eventually CEO of Amgen. He shares timeless knowledge about improving oneself and the skills necessary to be a successful CEO or board member.

Governance. It’s not enough to just show up. Being a good board member means balance, building relationships, and making the tough calls. (46:09)
Passing the CEO Test. Kevin discusses what selecting a quality CEO entails, including asking all the right questions and trusting your gut. (24:14)
Asking the Right Question. Diving deep and asking the right people questions will give you all the information you need to make quality judgements. (15;59)
Listening as an Art Form. The biggest revelation in Kevin’s career was the importance of listening, and how he needed to be a better listener. (28:21)

Meet Kevin Sharer:

Key Insights:

Governance. It’s not enough to just show up. Being a good board member means balance, building relationships, and making the tough calls. (46:09)
Passing the CEO Test. Kevin discusses what selecting a quality CEO entails, including asking all the right questions and trusting your gut. (24:14)
Asking the Right Question. Diving deep and asking the right people questions will give you all the information you need to make quality judgements. (15;59)
Listening as an Art Form. The biggest revelation in Kevin’s career was the importance of listening, and how he needed to be a better listener. (28:21)

Previous Episode

undefined - 21: Hot Seat: Lessons Learned While Leading a Great American Company with Jeff Immelt, Venture Partner, New Enterprise Associates; Author, “Hot Seat”

21: Hot Seat: Lessons Learned While Leading a Great American Company with Jeff Immelt, Venture Partner, New Enterprise Associates; Author, “Hot Seat”

Meet Jeff Immelt:

Jeff Immelt served as CEO of General Electric (GE) for 16 years and CEO of GE Healthcare for four years. The leadership lessons that he learned during his time as CEO of GE are told in Hot Seat: What I Learned Leading A Great American Company. He also chaired the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness under the Obama administration. He is a currently a Venture Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Jeff has a B.A. degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Key Insights:

During his first week as CEO of GE, Jeff was faced with the 9/11 terrorist attacks followed seven years later by the Great Recession. Jeff shares how he managed GE through these crises.

Why Join GE? I wanted to be an operator. Unlike many in my Harvard Business School class, I did not want to be a consultant or an investment banker. (10:01)
How Did You Assess the Response to 9/11? All business leaders were asked to provide a snapshot of what still works, what does not work, and how we should anticipate and respond to change. (21:39)
Healthcare Lessons Learned. Jeff learned that there are many terrific people in healthcare working to help others. Healthcare is behind other industries in application of business principles. (12:33)
Governance. Size of boards is important. At one time, GE had 18 board members and it was just too big because it’s easy to lose connectivity and focus. (34:43)

Next Episode

23: Leadership is About Solving the Right Problems with Ruth Williams-Brinkley, Regional President, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic

Meet Ruth Williams-Brinkley:

Ruth Williams-Brinkley is Regional President, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic. In this role, Ruth oversees all of Kaiser Permanente’s care delivery and health plan operations in Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia. Previously, Ruth served as CEO for multiple health systems, including Kentucky’s largest integrated health system, KentuckyOne. She began her career as a nurse, earning a MS in Nursing Administration from DePaul University.

Key Insights:

Ruth’s experience spans from direct patient care, to operations management across four states and districts. She is well-versed in Kaiser Permanente’s unique patient care and payment model, and oversees the building of healthy ecosystems around the patient.

Filling Gaps with Technology. Ruth discusses the platform developed by Unite Us and how it addresses social-determinants of health. (32:27)
Leading People. Healthcare is full of promising technology, but at its core, patient care and leadership are about people. (10:10)
Problem Solving. Ruth explains how her background influenced her career and developed her ability to problem-solve. (34:49)
Mentorship. Mentors can provide powerful, early-career advice. And once you are established, you can return the favor to others. (37:58)