Ash Shehata: Be Like Water

In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with Ash Shehata, Chief Information Officer of AHMC Healthcare System, to explore the intersection of leadership, adaptability, and human connection. Ash shares the story of a life-changing health crisis that transformed his perspective on healthcare and leadership, leading him to adopt a philosophy inspired by the adaptability and humility of water.

Chris and Ash dive into the importance of human connection in leadership, emphasizing the value of truly listening to understand rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. Drawing on lessons from Ross Perot Sr., Ash discusses how vulnerability, empathy, and the courage to make mistakes are crucial for effective leadership. They also explore the challenges of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, highlighting the need for proactive pauses—moments to step back, prioritize, and move forward with purpose.

In addition to his professional insights, Ash reflects on how the principles he applies as a father—understanding, listening, and unconditional love—inform his approach to leading a large healthcare organization. Whether you're in healthcare, business, or simply looking to lead a more connected and purposeful life, this episode offers valuable lessons on the power of empathy, adaptability, and human connection.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Philosophy of Water: Ash discusses how a TED Talk on the adaptability of water profoundly influenced his approach to leadership and life. He explains that water’s qualities of being adaptable, humble, and harmonious have become central to his personal and professional philosophy (06:42:305).
• A Life-Altering Health Scare: Ash recounts a near-death experience in 2017 that reshaped his perspective on healthcare delivery and leadership. This moment of vulnerability emphasized the importance of empathy and the human connection in healthcare, leading Ash to re-evaluate the systems he once helped build (08:37:537).
• Leadership Lessons from Ross Perot Sr.: Ash shares valuable insights learned from working at Perot Systems under Ross Perot Sr. He emphasizes the importance of listening to understand rather than just waiting for a pause to speak, a lesson that has deeply impacted his leadership style (19:56:654).
• The Power of Human Connection: Reflecting on a dinner party where they first met, Chris and Ash discuss the significance of understanding and connecting with people at a human level. Ash notes that despite the differences in professional roles, we are more alike than different, and it’s these shared experiences that bind us together (22:28:042).
• Navigating Healthcare Challenges: Ash talks about the complexities of the healthcare industry and the importance of taking proactive pauses to evaluate and prioritize initiatives. He shares how sometimes taking two steps back is necessary to move forward with greater clarity and purpose (30:57:397).
• Closing Thoughts on Fatherhood and Leadership: Although not deeply explored in this episode, Ash’s principles of fatherhood—seeking to understand, listening without always solving, remembering childhood complexities, and loving unconditionally—are touched upon as part of his broader leadership and life philosophy (36:28:833).

Notable Quotes:

• "Technology is irrelevant without the human connection, the ability to listen, to support, to understand, to connect." — Chris Schembra
• "Water is silently successful; it adapts to its environment and grows, nourishes, and feeds. That’s how I strive to live my life." — Ash Shehata
• "Some of the most thought-provoking conversations I've had were during those 47 days in the hospital, where I learned the true power of empathy from the nurses who cared for me." — Ash Shehata
• "The biggest mistake in leadership today is listening for the pause instead of listening to truly understand the person in front of you." — Chris Schembra
• "You don't have to be everything to everyone. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause, listen, and then respond with intention." — Ash Shehata
• "Human connection is the foundation of great leadership. We are more alike than different, and it's those shared experiences that bind us together." — Ash Shehata
• "The unavoidable pause is where growth happens. It's where you step back, evaluate, and decide how to move forward with purpose." — Chris Schembra

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Ash Shehata is the Chief Information Officer of AHMC Healthcare System, one of California's largest healthcare providers. With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Ash is known for his innovative approach to technology and leadership. He has played a pivotal role in transforming healthcare delivery by integrating cutting-edge technology with compassionate patient care, overseeing a system that serves over 200,000 patients annually.

Ash’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in adaptability, humility, and empathy, principles that were significantly shaped by a life-altering health crisis in 2017. This experience gave him a unique perspective on the importance of human connection and the critical role of empathy in healthcare. Beyond his professional achievements, Ash is a dedicated father and husband, drawing on his personal life to inform his approach to leadership. He is passionate about fostering environments where teams can thrive by prioritizing human connection, understanding, and the courage to make mistakes.

Ash’s career has also been influenced by his time at Perot Systems, where he worked under Ross Perot Sr., learning valuable lessons about the importance of listening, understanding, and leading with integrity. Today, Ash continues to advocate for a patient-centered approach to healthcare, combining the latest technological advancements with the timeless values of empathy and human connection.

ABOUT OUR HOST:

Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.

He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.

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