The Power of Perpetual Optimism in Challenging Times
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C-SUITE PERSPECTIVES

The Power of Perpetual Optimism in Challenging Times

How did Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health lead his team through the COVID-19 pandemic? Perpetual optimism.

How did Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York state, lead his team through the COVID-19 pandemic? Perpetual optimism. In this episode, Dowling sits down with Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, to discuss his core principles and how they are helping Northwell Health meet the challenges of government regulation, a tight labor market, a toxic political environment, and more.  

Tune in to discover:  

  • What is the value of perpetual optimism in a crisis? 
  • How important is leadership visibility and “walking the floor”? 
  • Why do you have to "fix the roof while the sun is shining”? 
  • How does one lead innovation despite regulations and politics? 
  • How does a constant focus on the customer give valuable perspective? 

This episode of CEO Perspectives is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from CED. The series features discussions with the outstanding business leaders who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. In this series, business leaders discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. 

 

 The Power of Perpetual Optimism in Challenging Times

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How did Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York state, lead his team through the COVID-19 pandemic? Perpetual optimism. In this episode, Dowling sits down with Dr. Lori Esposito Murray, President of the Committee for Economic Development (CED), the public policy center of The Conference Board, to discuss his core principles and how they are helping Northwell Health meet the challenges of government regulation, a tight labor market, a toxic political environment, and more.  

Tune in to discover:  

  • What is the value of perpetual optimism in a crisis? 
  • How important is leadership visibility and “walking the floor”? 
  • Why do you have to "fix the roof while the sun is shining”? 
  • How does one lead innovation despite regulations and politics? 
  • How does a constant focus on the customer give valuable perspective? 

This episode of CEO Perspectives is part of the Leadership in Challenging Times series from CED. The series features discussions with the outstanding business leaders who are recipients of CED’s Distinguished Leadership Awards. In this series, business leaders discuss the unprecedented challenges facing the nation and how they are helping chart a path forward for both their companies and communities in which they operate. 

 

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Experts in this series

Join experts from The Conference Board as they share Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™

Dr. Lori Esposito Murray

Dr. Lori Esposito Murray

Former President
Committee for Economic Development

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Michael J. Dowling

Michael J. Dowling

President and CEO
Northwell Health

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C-Suite Perspectives

C-Suite Perspectives is a series hosted by our President & CEO, Steve Odland. This weekly conversation takes an objective, data-driven look at a range of business topics aimed at executives. Listeners will come away with what The Conference Board does best: Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™.

C-Suite Perspectives provides unique insights for C-Suite executives on timely topics that matter most to businesses as selected by The Conference Board. If you would like to suggest a guest for the podcast series, please email csuite.perspectives@conference-board.org. Note: As a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, The Conference Board cannot promote or offer marketing opportunities to for-profit entities.


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