Travis Manion Foundation: Non-profit organization honoring heroes who serve and sacrifice for their country. They work with youth, giving support, mentorship, and guidance. They also provide local leadership and assess local needs within communities. Alex Gorski’s Childhood: Grew up in the Midwest with middle-class upbringing as a grandson of immigrants and son of a Korean War veteran. Learned the value of hard work, community, and treating others with respect. His father served for more than 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, instilling a spirit of determination in him. West Point Philosophy: Gorski attended and graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point. His philosophy was “why walk when you can run,” which pushed him to dive into various activities and challenges. West Point’s emphasis on duty, honor, country, mind, body, and spirit resonated with him. The experiences and learnings from West Point helped shape him into the leader he is today.

Personal Career Journey:
Alex Gorsky’s transition from the military to J&J was driven by a desire to find a purpose-driven career in an area of interest (healthcare). He emphasized the importance of selecting a company with a compatible value system and a strong track record of integrating and developing veterans.

Finding Meaning and Purpose:
Both Ruth Porat and Alex Gorsky stressed the significance of aligning one’s career with purpose and values, drawing inspiration from their personal experiences. A mission-driven approach fosters teamwork and a sense of contributing to something larger than oneself, providing motivation and fulfillment.

Navigating Crises and Risk Management:
Gorsky sharpened his leadership skills as an officer during challenging times, developing pattern recognition for handling tough situations. The Tylenol crisis served as a valuable risk management case study, demonstrating the importance of decisive action to protect consumers and communicate effectively. Ruth Porat highlighted the lessons learned from J&J’s response to the Tylenol crisis, emphasizing the role of risk management principles in guiding decision-making during challenging times.

Lessons from Johnson & Johnson’s Response to the COVID-19 Crisis:

* Purpose-Driven Leadership:
Remind people of the company’s purpose and values to create a sense of unity and direction during challenging times. Use core values as a guiding compass for decision-making, ensuring alignment with the company’s mission.

* People-Centric Approach:
Prioritize employee well-being by creating an environment that fosters their growth and success. Value diversity of thought and opinions to make better informed decisions. Strive to make “1 + 1 + 1 = 7” by leveraging collective expertise and collaboration.

* Self-Care for Leaders:
Recognize the importance of self-care for leaders to maintain their effectiveness. Encourage leaders to manage their energy and emotions, seek feedback, and rely on their teams for support. Promote authenticity and human connection to build trust and rapport with employees.

Promoting Employee Wellness at Johnson & Johnson:

* Wellness Ambition:
Aim to be the healthiest healthcare company in the world, emphasizing the importance of employee health and well-being. Recognize that employees’ best health and energy contribute to their effectiveness and resilience.

* Education and Prevention:
Invest in educating employees about health and wellness, emphasizing the role of behavior in preventing chronic diseases. Promote healthy habits, including physical activity, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep.

* Mental Health and Balance:
Acknowledge the significance of mental health, especially during challenging times like COVID-19. Provide resources and support to help employees manage stress, anxiety, and work-life balance.

* Family Support:
Recognize that a family’s health is influenced by the health of its members. Encourage employees to share wellness tools and practices with their families, creating a supportive network beyond the workplace.

Balancing Innovation and Regulation:
In the healthcare industry, where decisions affect life and death, encouraging innovation presents a unique challenge devido to stringent regulations. Johnson & Johnson recognizes the significance of innovation in ensuring its success and envisions products and services that enhance patients’ longevity, health, and happiness.

Driving Innovation through a Collaborative Platform:
Approximately 25% of Johnson & Johnson’s total sales stem from products launched within the last five years, indicating a strong focus on continuous innovation. Innovation initiatives include fostering an environment that promotes great scientists, engaging employees, and creating a conducive atmosphere for groundbreaking ideas.

Strategic Investment in Research and Development:
Johnson & Johnson invests $50 billion in internal research and development, ranking among the top five companies in the United States and top ten globally. Recognizing that innovation can come from external sources, the company invests $55 billion in external innovation through licensing, acquisitions, and partnerships.

Collaboration with Top Academic Centers:
To foster innovation, Johnson & Johnson establishes innovation centers near leading academic centers, creating ecosystems involving venture groups, academic centers, and other potential partners.

Alex Gorsky’s Career Journey:
Gorsky transitioned from the U.S. Army to J&J, a shift that involved adapting to new roles, learning different leadership styles, and acquiring business knowledge. He emphasizes the importance of learning a new language, gaining new skills, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable to drive personal growth.

Humility and Continuous Learning:
Gorsky believes that humility is essential for ongoing learning and growth. He recommends continuous learning through reading, formal education, and networking to stay updated and adaptable. Gorsky highlights the significance of embracing challenges and learning from mistakes.

Transitioning from Military to Business:
Gorsky suggests that military veterans can stand out by leveraging teamwork, a mission-oriented mindset, and diversity appreciation. He recommends building strong business acumen by becoming voracious readers, pursuing education, and actively networking with professionals.

Key Soft Skills for Leaders:
Teamwork and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people are crucial skills for leaders. Leaders should prioritize accomplishing goals and missions while fostering a collaborative environment. Diversity and inclusion are essential for building strong teams and appreciating the value of different perspectives.

Building on Military Skills in Business:
Alex Gorsky emphasizes the value of the skills and teamwork gained in the military, as they foster a problem-solving mentality and a focus on execution. He highlights the importance of grit and resilience in overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Fostering Debate and Diversity of Thought:
Gorsky stresses the significance of diverse perspectives in decision-making and surrounding oneself with a team that offers different viewpoints. He encourages creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their opinions, fostering open discussion, and ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard. Gorsky recommends seeking multiple perspectives before forming one’s own opinion to ensure informed decision-making.

The Role of Robotics in Healthcare:
Gorsky sees robotics as ubiquitous in the future of healthcare, noting its acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic. He cites examples of how data science, analytics, and robotics have contributed to the development of COVID-19 vaccines and surgical innovations. Gorsky emphasizes the potential of robotics in preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, and maintaining comprehensive medical records.

Advice for Military Veterans Without a College Degree:
Gorsky highlights the strong job market opportunities for veterans, emphasizing that companies are increasingly recognizing the value of diverse skills and experiences. He encourages veterans to understand their skills and how they can be transferred to different roles. Gorsky mentions the Business Roundtable initiative to explore alternative credentialing methods, recognizing the need for skills-based hiring rather than solely relying on traditional educational qualifications.

Opening Up Job Opportunities Through Technology:
Google’s certificates, created initially for internal use, are now available to the public, providing accessible and efficient skills training opportunities.

Cloud Technology as Innovation Catalyst:
Cloud capabilities are pivotal for J&J’s innovations, including data analytics, database management, and personalized product development.

Common Mistakes Faced by New CEOs:
Being selective with time allocation and striking a balance between strategic oversight and hands-on involvement are crucial challenges for CEOs.

Prioritizing Purpose-Driven Involvement:
J&J applies a framework to guide its involvement in societal issues, focusing on healthcare-related matters and aligning with their credo values.

Considering Credibility and Impact:
When deciding whether to speak out on societal issues, J&J considers its credibility, resource commitment, and potential for making a meaningful difference.