Episode 81 – A Conversation with the COO of a Billion Dollar Company, Ken Stillwell

Recap

Would you like to optimize your relationship with your Office Manager, Integrator or COO? Listen in as Dr. Stephen Franson interviews Ken Stillwell, Chief Operations Officer of PegaSystems – a billion dollar SAS business out of Boston.

Ken brings his deep experience and insight around the incredibly important CEO:COO relationship. Ken has made an impressive career out of being “Number 2” to several top level leaders running massive companies – and adds the humorous and unique perspective of being married to his favorite “Number 1,” his chiropractor-wife, Dr. Brooke Stillwell.

Ken shares some great wisdom and relevant stories that can help every CEO and business owner become a better leader and learn how to get the most out of their “Number 2.”

Episode Highlights

00:38 – Dr. Pete and Dr. Stephen introduce today’s guest, Ken Stillwell, who speaks to his role as COO at PegaSystems

09:45 – Ken speaks to key strategies that successful owners implement to identify the things they should be focused on

16:59 – The importance Ken places on having a rock solid value system

18:44 – Dr. Pete and Dr. Stephen take a moment to promote Chiro Match Makers

20:05 – Advice Ken would give to ‘super-performers’ in the chiropractic industry

32:58 – Why the role of the COO cannot be understated

Tweetable Quotes

I always joke that I’ll write a book someday called, ‘Being Number Two’ because I’ve been a number two at almost every single company that I’ve been at since I was twenty-eight years old.

One of the biggest hurdles that I’ve found is that entrepreneurs found a way to make their way. And they do it the way they view that it’s comfortable for them to be successful. And the more that they can break away from that and say, ‘I want an…

There’s a couple different ways that normally every problem can be solved. That’s one anchor which is this belief that you’re focused on outcomes. You’re not just focused on how you do it, you’re focused on what outcome you want, because that…

You have to be careful that the individuals that you put in your organization don’t stray from your value system.

The first thing I would say is commit to mentoring, commit to teaching, commit to monitoring and measuring. But let them do it. Don’t manager, mentor. Because you’ll be amazed at what people can do if you give them an opportunity.

Resources Mentioned

Ken’s LinkedIn

PegaSystems’ Website

Dr. Stephen’s LinkedIn

Dr. Pete’s LinkedIn

The Remarkable CEO Website

Dr. Stephen’s Book – The Remarkable Practice: The Definitive Guide to Build a Thriving Chiropractic Business

Chiro Match Makers Website

Schedule a Brainstorming call with Dr. Pete

Download your copy of the 90-Day CEO Project Planner here

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