Today's episode is with Paul Markovich, the president and CEO of Blue Shield of California. We explored the theme of vulnerability in leadership, discussing its importance and challenges. Paul shared his personal experiences, including the intense workload during the pandemic, which led to burnout and emotional stress. He opened up about the difficulty of maintaining a balance between personal life and professional responsibilities, and how that affected his interactions with his team.

We also discuss the loneliness of leadership, particularly when faced with the painful task of letting go of a friend within the organization. Paul emphasized the importance of vulnerability in building deep connections, making leaders more relatable, and fostering trust within the team. He also highlighted the balance that must be struck, as sharing too much or too little can have negative impacts.

Today's conversation underscored the human aspect of leadership and the complex dynamics that come with being at the helm of an organization.

Paul Markovich is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. ⁠⁠Check it out here and pre-order your copy now⁠.

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