Unconventional Leadership: What Henry Ford and Detroit Taught Me About Reinvention and Diversity

What does it take to lead the successful turnaround of four consecutive organizations? What does it take to run a $5 billion business in Detroit as the city struggles to emerge from municipal bankruptcy and its worst ongoing crisis ever? What does it take to be a female CEO who has come up against discrimination and personal attack? It takes Unconventional Leadership, a style of leadership based on confronting reality and leading headlong through adversity. In this inspiring story, innovative LGBT leader Nancy Schlichting, the CEO of Henry Ford Health System, reveals her unique strategies that drive success: maintaining a focus on people, creating a culture of innovation and reinvention, and embracing diversity as a key strategy for growth.

The book describes a leadership paradigm that will motivate, inspire, and drive new thinking in today's disruptive business environment where traditional modes of managing are no longer working. In Unconventional Leadership, Schlichting weaves together three themes that explain how she has become one of the most powerful individuals in healthcare today: (1) deftly conquering the immense challenges within the healthcare industry itself—consolidation, new models of delivery and financing, increasing government regulation and oversight, changing customer expectations, and pressures on cost and quality (2) the exciting and panoramic backdrop of Henry Ford and Detroit—Ford’s legacy of invention and innovation combined with ongoing attempts to restore and renew a city in deep decline; and (3) forging a career path and excelling as an LGBT and female CEO in a world typically dominated by men.

An abiding fan of the underdog, Schlichting reveals, above all else, the sheer grit and determination required to lead through adversity and create a successful legacy of leadership.

About the Author

Nancy Schlichting is Chief Executive Officer of Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), a nationally recognized $5 billion health care organization with 23,000 employees and recipient of the 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, 2011 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety Quality Award, and 2004 Foster G. McGaw Award. She is credited with leading the health system through a dramatic financial turnaround and for award-winning patient safety, customer service and diversity initiatives.

Schlichting joined Henry Ford Health System in 1998 and in 2003 was named President and CEO. Her vision is to create tremendous clinical excellence, a fabulous patient experience, and a great environment for all health care professionals to advance their careers. Schlichting believes that great people are the key to providing great health care, and therefore, is committed to giving her employees everything they need to become the best possible health care professionals.

A hallmark of Schlichting’s career is working with community, legislative and business leaders to improve health services while providing affordable care. Nancy serves on numerous community, professional, and corporate boards that reflect both her professional and personal interests. She is a member of The Kresge Foundation Board, Walgreen Boots Alliance Board, Federal Bank of Chicago Board – Detroit Branch, Detroit Regional Chamber Board, Citizen’s Research Council of Michigan, Detroit Economic Club Board and Downtown Detroit Partnership Board. Nancy is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the International Women’s Forum.

Nancy has an exceptional ability to balance her service to the community with her own exemplary career that has resulted in many forms of recognition over the years. Among her most recent honors: NCHL Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence award, ACHE Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent's Award, AHA/HRET 2014 TRUST Award, Becker's Hospital Review "40 of the Smartest People in Healthcare-2014", Modern Healthcare "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare-2014" (named for the eighth time), Modern Healthcare "Top 25 Women in Healthcare -2013" (named for the fourth time), Crain's Detroit Business "2012 Newsmaker of the Year", and HealthLeaders Media "20 People Who Make Healthcare Better-2012.

Schlichting received her A.B. from Duke University and her M.B.A. from Cornell University. She and her family reside in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. She has also been the recipient of honorary doctoral degrees from Walsh College Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University.