The re-election of President Barack Obama answered some questions that had been plaguing Corporate America, but others—especially in the areas of healthcare and the looming fiscal cliff—remain unanswered. In times of uncertainty, leaders who communicate a positive message can make all the difference says Steve Mansfield, president and CEO of Methodist Health System.
“I’m not talking about spin; I’m talking about changing your framework and seeing what’s positive, because there’s plenty,” he said.
Mansfield made the comments—and also discussed Obamacare, uninsured Texans, and the challenges of operating in an industry that has shifted from focusing on acute care to chronic care—at a recent CEO panel discussion hosted by Roger Stabuach, executive chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle. Also sharing their frank and insightful opinions were energy icon T. Boone Pickens, Texas Instruments President and CEO Rich Templeton, Karen Katz, president and CEO of The Neiman Marcus Group Inc.; and Martin Cox, chief operating officer of Chase Commercial Banking’s middle market business. NBC journalist Scott Murray served as moderator.
Mansfield said half the country is distraught over the election results, “but this is America. And we have a tremendous opportunity in what we do with it. It’s not up to Washington, in my view, to determine what we do with it. I think sentiment is such a powerful force. You see it every Saturday when you watch college football and see momentum shift back and forth.
“There’s so much positive to be said. I tell our staff all the time, ‘You are in the miracle business. People live today who would not have lived a decade ago because of what you do and what you use.’ If you can’t get pumped up about that, then something’s wrong with your pump.”
Staubach said the country’s financial situation can only be solved by “a combination of raising revenue and closing loopholes and dealing with entitlements that no one likes to talk about … social security, Medicare and Medicaid. So we have some challenges. But this is a great country, and I think we’re going to figure things out.
“I hope that Republicans, now that they know who their president is aren’t going to try to make the president look bad,” Staubach said. “All of our personal agendas are important, but you have to be thinking of the bigger agenda, and what’s right—whether that be in your family, in your company, or in your country. Looking at the big agenda, we’re going to hopefully see that leadership come forward.
Responding to a question about his greatest concerns, Mansfield discussed the transformational change facing the healthcare industry:
“I think America can do better with its healthcare system. We consume about 17 percent+ of the GDP. Yet by any leading healthcare organization metrics, we’re not able to say we have the best quality in the world. Part of that is due to the reimbursement system that we have, which rewards volume, which may or may not be tied to outcomes. I think the question is, can we, as a healthcare delivery system, come together and unify around the notion of providing a better product at a better price point for America, so we can be more competitive in a global market?
“Saying it is easy. Getting that done—transitioning from a fee-for-service system to one that reimburses value—is something that’s unlike anything I can imagine in any industry. Yet I feel compelled that we need to do that, and that Methodist needs to play a role in that.”
Click here to read a full transcript of the panel discussion.
