”Leading4Value” See! Believe! Achieve!

L4V Episode 18 Handout:
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/kwebmr4kh54zgjkb/L4V_Episode_18_Handout9ios5.pdf
Welcome back to the Leading4Value podcast! In Episode 18, host Ken Rethmeier is joined by special guest John Bost, former Mayor of the Village of Clemmons, North Carolina. Together, they delve into the importance of building and nurturing relationships within leadership networks.
This episode focuses on the second part of the leadership model emphasizing the critical role of networks in creating impactful relationships. Ken and John explore the concept of network analysis, discussing how leaders can identify key players, connecting points, and ways to enrich their networks for better organizational outcomes.
John shares his invaluable experiences from his time as mayor and other leadership roles, offering insights into how effective networking can lead to significant community improvements.
Key points covered include:
The role of networks in leadership
Steps to perform a network analysis
Real-world examples of network-driven solutions
John Bost's five essential words for successful leadership: relationships, alignment, rhythm, opportunities, productivity, and accountability
Tune in to learn how to leverage your network for superior outcomes and meaningful results. Don't miss the next Episode for more valuable insights!

Hand out link below:
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/y8zz88genhy93w5t/L4V_Episode_199zx8l.pdf
Welcome to episode 19 of our podcast series, "Leading for Value," hosted by Ken Rethweyer. In this episode, Ken delves into the power of systems thinking and how effective leadership can drive fundamental change within an organization. Drawing from his extensive consulting experience in industries such as oil, healthcare, and financial services, Ken shares valuable insights on aligning organizational vision with employee actions to create sustained superior performance.
Ken introduces the E3 model: Explore, Expand, Excel, emphasizing the importance of a long-term perspective and the application of scenario planning to energize an organization. He discusses the iceberg concept as a tool for uncovering underlying issues and driving systemic change, using real-world examples to illustrate its effectiveness.
Listeners will learn about the stepwise process to implement systems thinking, including defining problems, gaining consensus, and facilitating discussions to identify and modify mental models. Ken also highlights successful case studies from his consulting work, demonstrating how organizations can transform by adopting these strategies.
Join us as Ken explores the journey of leadership and the potential to achieve uncommon results by nurturing expansive thinking and collective aspirations. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and drive meaningful change in your organization. Stay tuned for episode 20, where Ken will discuss performance dashboards and sustained momentum.

Episode 20 Handout:
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/56fbqakg967zm3w2/L4V_Episode_208p8jn.pdf
Welcome Aboard to Episode 20 of our podcast series, hosted by Ken Rethmeier. In this insightful episode, Ken delves into the intricacies of measuring organizational performance, focusing on the Balanced Scorecard model developed by David Norton and Robert Kaplan. This comprehensive approach ensures a multi-dimensional view of organizational success.
Ken shares practical examples from his consulting experience in various industries, including banking and oil, to illustrate the effectiveness of key performance measures. He also highlights the impressive achievements of the Davie Medical Center in North Carolina, emphasizing the impact of strong leadership.
The episode walks you through the four dimensions of the Balanced Scorecard: customer target audience, financial success, internal business processes, and learning and growth. Ken provides step-by-step guidance on implementing this model in your organization, from defining goals to selecting and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
Additionally, Ken discusses innovative applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, as demonstrated by Dr. Tobias Gantner in Germany that can be found at www.healthcarefuturists.com and the importance of agility in learning and growth, particularly in rapidly changing environments.
Don't miss this episode if you're looking to enhance your organization's performance measurement strategies. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical tips on leveraging the Balanced Scorecard for sustained success. And, finally, we look forward to seeing you again in Episode 21!

Welcome aboard! In this heartfelt episode, Ken Rethmeier, a retired Navy Captain, Medical Service Corp, shares some of his experiences as a keynote speaker at the Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center's Veterans Day celebration. Reflecting on the themes of "Loyalty and Service" the official theme published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ken recounts some of his military journey, including his impactful service during the Vietnam War as a Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health Officer supporting all of the Marines in Vietnam during 1969 - 1970.
Ken collaborates with fellow veterans Rose Miller, Tom Madre, and Bruce Langhorne, highlighting their shared commitment to honoring veterans through their Novant Medical Center visits. He shares poignant stories from his time in Vietnam, including volunteering at a children's hospital and working on sanitation projects in local villages. Ken also discusses the lasting impact of Agent Orange exposure on his own health.
The episode features insights into the leadership model Ken developed, "See, Believe, and Achieve," inspired by his military experiences and mentors. He encourages listeners to reflect on leaders who shaped their own journeys. The episode also spotlights a special recognition wall, "Honoring Our Heroes", at Novant Medical Center honoring veteran employees, designed with support from NASCAR's Brad Keselowski.
Ken takes viewers through a tribute to various military branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, sharing personal anecdotes and videos celebrating their contributions. He emphasizes the enduring bond among service members and the importance of supporting veterans, particularly those facing challenges like PTSD.
Concluding with a salute to all veterans, Ken expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and the profound impact of his military career on his life and leadership philosophy.  I wish all who watch/listen to this video salute..."Fair winds and Following Seas!"  

Join Ken Rethmeier as he reflects on his incredible journey from his service in the Navy during the Vietnam War to the creation of his own consulting firm, The Rethmeer Group. In this heartfelt episode, Ken shares personal stories, including the impact of Agent Orange on his health, and pays tribute to friends and mentors who have shaped his life. He recounts the wonderful group of European colleagues and friends he has met, worked with and partnered with during his journey over the past twenty years...he owes them for making this time in his life of the utmost value.
Delve into Ken's experiences with influential programs such as Project Hope and his pioneering work in creating leadership development processes. He also discusses his mentoring role at Maastricht University and the profound gratitude he feels for those who supported him throughout his career.
Tune in for a nostalgic and inspiring episode where Ken brings Thanksgiving sentiments into focus, encouraging listeners to reflect on the people who contribute to their life's work and purpose. Discover the intertwining paths that have led Ken to appreciate the chances and planned encounters that make life meaningful! Fair Winds & Following Seas!  My Navy salute to you all!

Welcome to a new year and a renewed opportunity to journey into the realm of leadership excellence. In this episode, Ken delves into and explores the nuances that differentiate great leadership from merely adequate leadership. Embark on a reflective pathway with our experienced host, as he shares personal stories and insights from a career that spans decades, including pivotal roles in the United States Navy, financial services, and healthcare sectors.
Discover valuable lessons Ken has learned from a leadership journey starting as a young exchange student in Germany in 1962, through serving 22 years as a Medical Service Corps Officer including  Vietnam and at one point in his Navy career as the Commanding Officer of the Naval School of Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD to contributing to the growth of healthcare leadership services and contributions across Western and Eastern Europe, financial services & oil mechanical services company. Our host reflects on the pivotal importance of vision, values, goals, and objectives in shaping leadership effectiveness and organizational success.
Gain invaluable insights into building a learning organization, the art of maintaining personal will and humility, and how the synergy between individual alignment and shared vision fosters strong leadership. Join us as we explore practical applications of leadership principles, including highlights from literature by Jim Collins, Peter Senge, and Margaret Wheatley, and learn about innovative approaches with healthcare through Ken's colleague Dr. Peter Gantner, MD founder of Healthcare Futurists at healthcare futurists.com.

On Veterans Day, the host interviews colleagues Kim and Dan Bishop about their time on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Kim shares her four years as an AD aviation machinist mate (jet mechanic) stationed in Norfolk and Cuba before transitioning to a nursing career; Dan reflects on 20 years as a CB and his rise to Petty Officer First Class (E6).The conversation covers leadership and Navy core values — authority, responsibility, accountability — and the leaders who shaped them (Senior Chief Hornbaker and First Class Petty Officer Teague). Guests discuss how military service accelerated personal growth, influenced their civilian careers, and inspired them to mentor others with loyalty, work ethic, and camaraderie.The episode also includes lighter moments and memorable anecdotes — walking FOD inspections, a JP-5 spill during aircraft startup, and the classic “bucket of steam” prank — ending with a message of unity, honor, and commitment to freedom. Kim and Dan’s stories will be featured in an upcoming November 11 presentation.

Veteran Ken Rethmeier, DrPH and CAPT, MSC, USN (Ret.) delivers a 2025 Veterans Day address at Bailey’s Glen in Cornelius, NC, reflecting on a 22-year Navy career and 35 years since retirement. He recounts his Vietnam preventive medicine work, malaria control, food-borne illness outbreaks, POW stories, and the long-term devastating toll of Agent Orange—while honoring fellow veterans and the 120-person audience of mostly veterans and spouses.
The talk covers service-wide themes and core values across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force; highlights such as the Mercy and Comfort hospital ships; and Ken’s leadership framework model "Explore–Expand–Excel". He also shares personal anecdotes about his monthly veterans patients visits at the Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center, and the importance of unity, honor, and commitment.
Key takeaways: veteran healthcare challenges, the legacy of World War II and Vietnam, leadership lessons for civilian and military life, and a call to recognize and support those who served.

In this episode the Ken Rethmeier, DrPH, host of the Leading4Value podcasts, launches into 2026 with a renewed commitment to 'do the right thing' and introduces his book, Leading for Value. Ken outlines the book's core models — including the three C's (capacity, capability, confidence) — and describes the supporting exercises, case studies from Europe, and practical applications across healthcare, financial services, not-for-profits, government, and the oil industry.
Ken explains his new podcast format: inviting leaders he/she has observed over the years to share unique perspectives on leadership. Key points include the courage to act, applying tools to help teams see, believe, and achieve, and an invitation for listeners to engage via email (kardrph@gmail.com) with feedback or ideas for live shows.  Ken also invites viewers to contact him with ideas, questions &/or just comments at his email address:  kardrph@gmail.com  Ken concludes his session explaining that now is his time to continue to give....his expertise.....his leadership experiences....&....his commitment live the vision of leadership he has to share with others!  

In this episode Ken Rethmeier welcomes Michael Flake, Lead Pastor at Storyhill Evangelical Presbyterian Church, in Davidson, NC for a conversation about the 'deeper dimension' of leadership. Michael as a Pastor comes into this discussion with a truly unique and wonderful view of leadership based on Christian beliefs. Michael & Ken connect concepts from Rethmeier’s book 'Leading4Value' (the three C’s: capability, capacity, confidence) with Michael’s recent sermons on the Beatitudes, highlighting how meekness — strength plus self-control — shapes servant leadership. The key beatitude is "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!" 
Michael discusses stewardship, humility, mentor-style leadership (with examples like Tony Dungy and Chuck Knoll), and the idea that great leaders set the tone and invest in successors rather than seeking personal acclaim. Michael explores how faith and character inform day-to-day decisions, organizing priorities around people as well as results.
Episode viewers can expect practical reflection prompts and a focus on mid-course correction: how to pause, assess your effect on others, and lead with purpose so teams thrive now and into the future.

Host Dr. Ken Rethmeier welcomes Dr. Tobias Gantner, founder of Healthcare Futurists, for a forward-looking conversation about creating value in healthcare. They discuss AI as a practical tool (not a replacement), the democratization of health through prevention and digital tools, telemedicine innovations like the Healthcare Maker Mobile, and Tobias’s Lebenswerk project that uses AI to preserve life stories. 
Key takeaways include using AI to reduce errors and free clinicians for empathetic care (the ‘‘seatbelt’’ analogy), the rise of preemptive and evidence-driven medicine, the importance of future skills and multidisciplinary leadership, and the potential of narrative-based outcomes research and patient empowerment. Expect insights for entrepreneurs, clinicians, and leaders on implementing innovation in real-world practice.
Dr. Gantner's extensive work in Germany and other European countries to provide advances in the organization, development and delivery of healthcare and medical services represents the essence of what Ken Rethmeier and his book 'Leading4Value: Transforming Field Tested Thinking & Tools Into Inspired Healthcare Leadership' offers to stimulate new & unique motivation to be extraordinary contributors to new ways of healthcare for now and the future. 
Dr. Rethmeier sincerely appreciates Dr. Gantner & his exceptional contribution to today's podcast!

Ken RethmeIer, DrPH, podcast host, speaks directly to Maastricht University’s Global Leadership in European Public Health students, sharing a lifetime of leadership lessons drawn from experiences in Germany, UCLA and UNC, the U.S. Navy (including Vietnam and Long Beach), corporate and nonprofit roles, and local government as a mayor.
This episode covers core themes—leadership as an ongoing journey; the triad of authority, responsibility and accountability; the three Cs (capacity, capability, confidence); the central role of trust; the power of mentoring, volunteering and influence; and how to absorb uncertainty and encourage creativity. Ken illustrates each point with concrete stories (Jungle Cruise at Disneyland, disease control in Vietnam, building leadership programs, hospital accreditation work, and consulting projects).
Viewers can expect practical takeaways, memorable anecdotes, and mentions of collaborators such as mentor Dr. Arnold Kaluzny and Dr. Tobias Gantner (HealthcareFuturist, Labenswerk.ai). The episode offers actionable advice for emerging leaders on how to step up, build trust, inspire teams, and make a measurable difference. Inspired leadeership is having & exercising the Capacity, Capability & Confidence to Add Value as a Leader Every Day...Every Way....without hesitation!  I know you will be a success!!

In this episode we cover the Cornelius town meeting where Novant Health sought approval to build an independent emergency room near the I‑77/Highway 21 exit. The commissioners signaled they were opposed from the start, and the discussion raised questions about capital investment, taxation, jobs, and the Certificate of Need process.
Guest speaker Dr. Kenneth Rethmeier — a Navy veteran, former Joint Commission consultant, and past Mayor of the Town of Bermuda Run — presents a detailed defense of the project, emphasizing population growth, strained ER capacity, and the importance of continuity of care when patients are transferred or discharged. He cites examples like Davie Medical Center’s success and warns of potential harm and lost lives if access isn’t expanded.
Key topics include the Certificate of Need requirements, access and transfer logistics, continuity between health systems (Novant vs. others), veteran health concerns, and the broader leadership responsibility to provide timely medical services for a growing community.
Bottom line....Town Commissioners Voted the Project Down....

Well, today we're going to try something a little different. It's going to be a challenge question. And I'm going to share the screen in just a couple of minutes and ask you to solve a problem that you're going to see on the screen. And as leaders, often we find ourselves in a situation where we like to be able to step back periodically and ask ourselves, how do we solve problems? How do we deal with challenges when we are encountering those as leaders and working with organizations and our teams? So it may look a little simple, and it is, but I hope it gets you to thinking about how you would approach this. And in this podcast, I'm going to walk through the question or the challenge, and then tell you the next podcast shortly will be the answer. But I want you to think about it and think about how you would approach this kind of issue with your team or your organization. So we're going to share the screen now and I'll walk through the challenge. So here you are. You are on the first floor of a three-story building with light switches, with three switches right next to you, and one light bulb on the third floor. Oh, by the way, you can't see the light bulb, and there's only one light in the whole building. You have to pick one of the three light switches and identify which one of those three turns that light on. Here's the catch. You can only go to the third floor to check it out one time. Oh, and I've often been asked, well, how about if I go outside and look in the window? Do you see any windows? No. Sorry. So the idea here is three floors one light bulb and you've got to identify which of those three lights were just turns that light on and in the next podcast as i said in my introduction, i will go through and show you how to solve that but i want you to think about it first I hope you enjoy it. I know it's not a complex issue, but for leaders, it's an opportunity to once again show that we have value, and we add that value every day. And as I tell people, it's on target, on time, every time, without fail. Well, I'm going to stop here, and I'll see you next podcast. Bye. Thank you.

In this episode the host, Ken Rethmeier, DrPH, author of "Leading4Value," walks listeners through a classic logic puzzle about three light switches to illustrate better problem-solving and leadership thinking. Topics include creative reasoning, avoiding habitual pathways, the importance of stepping back to reassess processes, and how clinical-style pathways can both help and limit teams.
No outside guests are featured — this is a solo episode with practical coaching, a clear solution walkthrough, and actionable takeaways for leaders seeking to add consistent value to their teams.
Key points: use non-obvious clues (like heat, not just light), challenge routine thinking, periodically review and update standard procedures, and apply these habits to improve organizational decision-making and deliver value on time.
As leaders, we are best when we step back periodically to "challenge" our own thinking & problem-solving styles....it's better for us & an excellent learning opportunity for our teams & organizations!  
My "challenge" to you?  Take a chance....you will succeed!  

In this episode host Ken Rethmeier, DrPH interviews Tom Gibbs, retired executive and principal from Landmark Builders, about the enduring leadership competencies that drive organizational success. They discuss the host’s See–Believe–Achieve framework inspired by Degas and explore practical topics driving organizational success. Tom outlines and describes the 5 key leadership competencies that have served as the foundation for his own leadership journey.  His key competencies are: communication, accountability, adaptability, team building, and creating a compelling vision.  He describes how they fit within his own leadership style and how those competencies were the basis for creating an organization-wide very deep level of "trust"....."trust", in Tom's perspective was the absolute key to the success of the company.  He also illustrated how these competencies were characterized by the average career time for supervisors in the Landmark company averaged 20+ years! That is an incredible achievement and measure of the outstanding leaders throughout the company! 
Tom shares real-world stories from construction projects in the U.S. Southeast and the Caribbean — including an anecdote about fixing a faulty foundation at no charge — to illustrate how trust, follow-through, and repeat business grow from leaders who deliver on commitments and inspire others. Listeners will gain concrete insights on adding value every day and applying these timeless leadership behaviors across industries.
In summary, this episode illustrates in personal testimony and terms how one's focus developing a meaningful leadership style benefits the leader and the people with whom he works!
I really appreciate Tom's participation in this podcast....Thank You!!

Host Ken Rethmeier, DrPH sits down with Dr. Mihnea Samoila of Bucharest to explore leadership in healthcare through the See–Believe–Achieve model. They cover Michna’s journey from clinical medicine and public health training to leading corporate healthcare at OMV Petrom, steering pandemic preparedness and response, and his current consultancy work with the European Investment Bank and digital health initiatives for rural communities.
Topics include the leadership competencies that drive results—passion, emotional intelligence, credibility, authenticity—and how creating purpose and trust empowers teams to deliver uncommon outcomes. The conversation also highlights practical change-management examples, digital solutions for remote care, and turning leadership development into measurable impact.
Listeners will gain concise, practical insights on leading in multi-stakeholder healthcare environments, building capability and confidence in teams, and translating leadership coaching into real-world health system improvements.
Ken & Mihnea met in Brussels, Belgium in 2014 during a leadership development program for which Ken was one of the presenters.  He then had the opportunity to be Mihnea's executive coach that then led to a long time friendship on top of their collegial joint opportunities.  Ken delivered a "Leadership for Excellence in Health Care" for 25 hospital directors in Bucharest, RO in 2019.  Ken will tell you how Mihneea has set an excellent standard of leadership in the Romanian healthcare system and continues today to lead and guide some very innovative and impressive new solutions to healthcare needs in Romania!  He is a true leader who adds value every day in every way!