718: Leading Through Culture - Ken Wilcox
Leadership Is Changing - A podcast by Denis Gianoutsos
What truly shapes a thriving organization—clever strategy or meaningful culture?In this powerful conversation, host Denis Gianoutsos is joined by Ken Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank and author of Leading Through Culture. With a background in philosophy and a career that spanned from Silicon Valley to Shanghai, Ken shares how leadership rooted in values and emotional intelligence can outperform even the sharpest strategic plans.Denis and Ken explore the challenges of launching a bank in China, the cultural dynamics that shape leadership styles, and why leaders must walk the talk to build teams that thrive. From Theory X vs. Theory Y to real-world examples of cross-functional collaboration, this discussion offers practical insights and timeless principles.Tune in to hear a thought-provoking exchange that redefines leadership—and invites you to lead with both head and heart.From Academia to the BoardroomPassion for philosophy shaped his worldviewPivoted from teaching to banking during inflationMoved to Silicon Valley to fuel tech innovationBuilding a Bank in China: “One Bed, Two Dreams”Led a joint venture with the Chinese governmentFaced cultural and political complexitiesGained deep respect for Chinese business cultureLeading Through Culture: Legacy of His Father’s LessonsInspired by his dad’s leadership teachingsBuilt culture around motivation and meaningLeaders must intentionally design cultureHeart Over Mind: Culture That Drives PerformanceCulture trumps strategy in impactFostered horizontal, team-based collaborationReinforced values through actions and rewardsWhat Makes a Great Leader: Lessons from LincolnLincoln embodied humility and visionEmbraced disagreement to make better decisionsGreat leaders inspire with purposeThe Future of Leadership in a Polarized WorldGlobal shifts are reshaping leadershipPeople now seek protection, not just inspirationLeaders must model behavior and stay curiousKey Quotes:"Strategy speaks to the mind, but culture speaks to the heart." - Ken Wilcox"Every organization has a culture—whether they want to or not." - Ken WilcoxBook a Strategy Call with Denis https://app.leadingchangepartners.com/widget/bookings/callwithdenisgianoutsosThe 10 Proven Ways to Lead and Thrive in Today's World Executive Guide Featuring 10 Key Themes and 42 Strategic Insights from Worldwide Leaders https://crm.leadingchangepartners.com/10-ways-to-lead Connect with Ken:Website: https://kenwilcoxauthor.com/books/leading-through-culture/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwilcoxsvb/Connect with Denis:Email: [email protected]:
