Many of you may have wondered why I have not been more outspoken to date about issues surrounding my recently disclosed leadership errors. The reason was that my Board of Directors at BIDMC was still considering the issues. Therefore, it wasn't yet timely for me to address them beyond authorized formal statements, what you have seen here and in the media. On Thursday night, the chair of our Board suggested to me that it would now be appropriate for me to meet with the media and discuss the case.
I did so yesterday in the first of several interviews, which will likely continue into next week. Here are Liz Kowalczyk's story in the Boston Globe; another by Jerry Kronenberg in the Boston Herald; and a third, an interview with Jon Keller on WBZ-TV.
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This is a blog by a former CEO of a large Boston hospital to share thoughts about negotiation theory and practice, leadership training and mentoring, and teaching.
About Me
- Paul Levy
- Negotiation advisor, author, speaker; former hospital CEO, regional water and wastewater system CEO, and public utilities regulator. But above all, coach.
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23 comments:
Transparency personified. Nothing less than what I have learned to expect from you. Onward to save more lives.
nonlocal
Your lapse in judgement is disappointing to many and joyful to others. I hope it was worth it
Paul:
Your personal business is yours and although I applaud your transparencey, it isn't our business. In my opinion, I feel you need to answer to those in your family about matters such as this.
If this truly has not impacted how you have been performing at your job and I have not heard it has then work and home life are seperate issues.
We are all human and we all make mistakes and a hearfelt sorry is all one can expect. I'm sorry you had a lapse in judgment and I pray that you have learned for your mistake and move forward and find happiness.
Best to you!
Nowhere have I seen outright accusations of sexual misconduct, though clearly that's what's being insinuated. But what would this scenario look like if the young "close personal friend" were male? Still a terrible lapse in judgment? Would staff and co-workers still be "uncomfortable with the relationship"? Is there a double standard here?
"Leadership errors."
You still don't get it.
I read nothing in the Globe except petty office politics. I saw no harm, except a single sentence about possible misspent funds, a reference so vague as to border on the slanderous.
Is this really about an extra-marital affair, which the Globe does not do? Say so and then depart from Levy's personal business.
This is a non-story smear about a man with an extraordinary record.
I hope others here immediately discount the negative comments made by those cowards who sign their poison with "Anonymous".
I read your blog because I find it impressing that a CEO appears to be so transparent. Part of me says that I don't care what you do in your personal life, but the other part is why would you even think of bringing that stuff to work by getting a "friend" a great job. . . .
It is disappointing to say the least, but if your wife and kids can forgive you then that is what really counts. Going to take a lot of work on your end to gain back the trust your staff has put in you.
Ciao
When you were warned repeatedly about impropriety, and did nothing, then you really do need to understand why you have behaved so self-destructively.
The question arises in my mind why, if this situation was causing discontent for 8 years, the anonymous letter written by "concerned employees" was not sent until many months after the problem was already rectified.
That question is magnified when I see that the letter contains the sentence "Can we really believe that Levy's alleged concern for low paid employees is little more than a ploy to keep the union out?"
(See Boston Herald, 'photo gallery')
And why is this story not prominently displayed on the SEIU's "Eye on BI" website? They should be crawling all over this like bees on sugar.
It makes one wonder who really is behind the letter. Perhaps Bostonians are too wrapped up in the gory details to see clearly.
nonlocal
@ #1 Dinosaur: Having been a similar situation whereby my dept's manager was close personal friends with a male co-worked that he hired and to whom he gave preferential treatment
... I would say that yes, co-workers would still be uncomfortable with the relationship if the person had been a male.
These are the things that shock me: that your Board acted on an anonymous letter. You must have some haters there, or, if not, idiots.
That they fined you a ludicrous mount -- to save face.
That nothing about this employee bothered them until they got hate mail. People who respond to hate mail are often cowards.
Everybody is uncomfortable when another employee appears to have an edge. CEOs NEVER recognize that and nobody dares to tell them. I know the woman and I do not believe that there was any sexual relationship. But all bosses should be aware of how they play favorites --- that would be a novelty in every workplace!
I hope I don't spend any of my life spewing poison at good people, Anonymous. Too bad you can't direct your energy to solving problems. Hatred solves nothing but hurts others.
Paul Levy cares, and dares, to be a leader. Some people love to throw rocks at them. I know where the shame is and it's not with Mr. Levy. The media, on the other hand, is proving themselves to prefer attacking a leader with four decades of public service. Could you please go after something that is harmful and maybe even true?
Inappropriate 'career' favors happen all the time, everywhere. It is hypocritical for outsiders to grandstand on this one. The greater question is the strength of the transparency and quality improvement culture nurtured by Levy. It is BIDMC staff and physicians who make the organization strong and progressive, and they should redouble their efforts to support the values of the institution - regardless and independent of any values of its leader. Realignment will come with aggressive investment in the patient-centered quality mission.
I've been a loyal donor to BIDMC for the past 7 years though admittedly, only on a modest level. Knowing that this is how you run your hospital, I'll never give you another dime. It's embarrassing to me that this is how you'd choose to run your institution.
Anonymous 1:32, Paul Levy saved the institution you love.
I don't how how you'll find an organization to donate to that has a perfect man at the top. Remember that the mistake was hiring a friend -- there is no sexual relationship between the two.
I hope you'll reconsider. The hospital deserves it with or without Mr. Levy, but wouldn't be there without him.
I've been following the media coverage on this. I find it incredible that people can be so narrow minded about people bringing smart and talented people into an organization. Did Paul know how to run a hospital when he joined BIDMC? No, but his leadership record spoke for itself. Does any CEO worth his/her salt bring people in who they trust; one can learn the business of healthcare; the trust and smarts are what counts. Let's stop the nonsense and let Paul run BIDMC already!!
Mr Hunter, you can believe what you'd like to believe. I believe there was an inappropriate relationship between Mr. Levy and his chief of staff. I am not an employee or a board member and have no relationship with the hospital other than the fact that I have given money to the hospital that I used to admire. Mr Levy has done some very good things for BIDMC but I can no longer support him.
Why did the earlier press releases, both from the board and yourself, refer to the other person as being a "former employee" rather than being a former employee who was an employee at the time of the improper relationship?
While factually accurate, the language appeared to be deliberately misleading.
Why go with such wording?
I just read it again, based on your comment. I don't see that it was misleading or was in any way attempting to mislead.
I will add, I am impressed that you are letting all of this play out on your blog.
If I had the same of relationship that you had with this young woman at my job, I'd be fired.
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