The Front-Line Leader

Real leadership that leads to high engagement, higherperformance, and a culture of accountability As president and CEO of Scripps Health, one of America's mostprestigious health systems, Chris Van Gorder presided over adramatic turnaround, catapulting Scripps from near bankruptcy to adominant market position. While hospitals and health systemsnationwide have laid people off or are closing their doors, Scrippsis financially healthy, has added thousands of employees (even witha no-layoff philosophy), and has developed a reputation as a topemployer. What are the secrets to this remarkable story? In The Front-Line Leader, Chris Van Gorder candidlyshares his own incredible story, from police officer to CEO, andthe leadership philosophy that drives all of his decisions andactions: people come first. Van Gorder began his unlikely career asa California police officer, which deeply instilled in him a senseof social responsibility, honesty, and public service. After beinginjured on the job and taking an early retirement, Van Gorder hadto reinvent himself, taking a job as a hospital security director,a job that would change his life. Through hard work anddetermination, he rose to executive ranks, eventually becoming CEOof Scripps. But he never forgot his own roots and powerful workethic, or the time when he was a security officer and a CEO wouldnot make eye contact with him. Van Gorder leads from the front lines, making it a priority toknow his employees and customers at every level. His values learnedon the force--protecting the community, educating citizens,developing caring relationships, and ultimately doing the rightthing--shape his approach to business. As much as companiestalk about accountability, managers seldom understand whatpractical steps to take to achieve an ethic of service that makesaccountability meaningful. The Front-Line Leader outlinesspecific tactics and steps anyone can use starting today to takeresponsibility, inspire others, and achieve breakout results fortheir organizations. Van Gorder reveals how a no-layoff philosophyled to higher accountability, how his own attention to seeminglyminor details spurred larger change, and how his own high standardsfor himself and his team improved morale and productivity. From general strategy to the tiny, everyday steps leaders cantake to create the kind of culture and accountability thattranslates into major competitive advantage, The Front-LineLeader charts a path to better leadership and a more engaged,higher-performing organization.