EP. 035 Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? IBM’s Comeback and the Healthcare Lesson

This episode exposes "operational blindness": invisible beliefs that feel like facts and drive poor decisions in healthcare, especially in sterile processing. Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs explains how activity-based metrics mask real outcomes, causing delays, costs, and eroded trust. He outlines four common limiting beliefs, shows how they become self-fulfilling, and offers practical techniques to surface and change them so organizations can become proactive, visible, and high-performing.

This episode names and explains "operational blindness": the invisible visibility gap in sterile processing (SPD) that disconnects internal metrics from organizational outcomes, creating cost overruns, OR delays, and hidden quality risk. Using the IBM parallel, the host shows how hospitals must fix upstream systems—not just people—by building new metrics, feedback loops, and an operating system (Sterile by Design) to restore transparency and unlock perioperative performance.

In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs recounts Lou Gerstner’s 1993 turnaround of IBM—how he saved the company not by firing people but by changing the underlying beliefs, measurements, and systems that trapped talent. He draws direct parallels to healthcare, especially sterile processing, arguing that invisible beliefs and broken systems—not staff—are often the root cause of failure and wasted resources. The episode introduces the concept of operational blindness, previews the book "Operational Blindness," and points listeners to free resources and assessments to identify and fix systemic problems.

In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs challenges organizations especially in healthcare to stop letting tradition block progress. He explains "operational blindness," why conformity kills innovation, and how leaders must pair courage (gumption) with evidence and systems to drive real change. Listeners will learn five principles for innovation-driven leadership: question everything, prioritize impact over optics, build a coalition, make failure safe, and lead with evidence. Practical steps and a call to action close the episode: identify one unquestioned tradition and begin redesigning it.  

This episode exposes why hospitals break under pressure: not because of staffing shortages but because systems are built to survive, not scale. Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs walks through how to diagnose a facility’s "shaking point," the signs of survival infrastructure, and why slowing down strategically creates lasting speed. He outlines a practical playbook—map failures, design for 150% capacity, pilot changes in parallel, standardize processes, and measure stability—and shares a sterile processing case study that cut overtime, eliminated agency spend, and reduced turnover while increasing capacity.

In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs diagnoses a leadership famine in healthcare caused by promoting technical stars into roles they aren’t trained for. He explains the "clinical excellence trap," why clinical skill ≠ leadership capacity, and the systemic issues that keep organizations repeating the mistake. The episode outlines five essential leadership skills—systems thinking, emotional intelligence, change management, a development mindset, and strategic foresight—and offers clear fixes: separate career tracks, assess capability not just credentials, create apprenticeships and development ramps, invest in sustained training, and hold leaders accountable for developing others. Practical, urgent, and solution-focused, this episode shows how to stop accidentally finding leaders and start intentionally building them to create resilient healthcare organizations. If you are not subscribed please subscribe now. 

In episode 31 of Bread to Lead, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs exposes the "trauma budget"—how hospitals fund emergency fixes while starving prevention. He explains why crisis spending masks hidden long-term costs, shares real-world examples, and outlines a prevention-focused budget framework that measures ROI, aligns funding with strategy, and builds sustainable systems. Leaders will learn practical steps to shift from firefighting to designing resilient organizations.

Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs returns to tackle the leadership and staffing crisis in American hospitals, diagnosing how reliance on temporary staffing erodes culture, budgets, and patient care. This episode outlines practical design principles—pipeline development, transparent compensation, strategic scheduling, and listening leadership—and challenges leaders to move from short-term fixes to sustainable system redesign. Want to get access to the upcoming masterclasses, live events and exclusive resources needed to be a great leader.. go to bredtolead.com

Welcome back to Bred to Lead Season 2! In this episode, host Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs reflects on the incredible milestones achieved in Season 1 and emphasizes the core mission of the podcast: to provide actionable leadership advice that can transform your life and business. Dr. Jacobs discusses the importance of purchasing the newly released book, "Bread to Lead," which serves as a comprehensive manual for becoming a people-first, results-second leader. He encourages listeners to subscribe, review, and share the podcast to continue spreading impactful leadership insights. The episode delves into mastering the art of influence and persuasion, a crucial skill for effective leadership. Dr. Jacobs outlines key strategies and principles, including the ethical foundations of influence, the psychology behind it, and practical techniques to inspire and motivate others. From the importance of building trust and rapport to leveraging social proof and creating a sense of urgency, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Dr. Jacobs emphasizes that true influence is about creating win-win outcomes and aligning diverse interests towards a common good. Join us as we explore the essential skills needed to become a more effective and ethical leader in today's complex world. Stay tuned for the next parts of this deep dive into the art and science of influence and persuasion. Don't forget to grab your copy of "Bread to Lead" and continue your journey towards leadership excellence. Subscribe, share, and be the leader you were bred to be!

In our previous episode, we discussed the pivotal differences between management and leadership and how making the leadership leap is essential for transformative change. We delved into effective leadership practices, from problem-solving and empowerment to creating a compelling vision. In today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, we shift our focus to navigating change and cultivating resilience. Welcome to Bread to Lead, the podcast dedicated to unlocking your leadership potential and making a lasting impact. I'm your host, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs. Today, we explore the art and science of navigating change and building resilience, drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and leadership studies. We'll tackle common challenges like resistance, uncertainty, and burnout, and provide practical strategies for resilience in ourselves, our teams, and our lives. Whether you're leading a major transformation, navigating personal transitions, or simply keeping up with rapid changes, this episode is for you. Learn about embracing a growth mindset, practicing self-awareness, fostering connection and support, finding purpose, and developing adaptability. Our goal is to equip you with the tools to lead with clarity, conviction, and resilience. Join us as we break down these concepts, share real-world examples, and offer actionable tips to help you thrive in the face of change. Don't miss out on this essential guide to resilient leadership!