Podcast Summary: Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold

Episode: Ep. 496 - Stephanie Meyer - The Unexpected Link Between Well-Being and Unstoppable Professional Growth
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Host: Savannah Brewer, Co-Host of the Second in Command Podcast
Guest: Stephanie Meyer, COO of Children's Mercy, Kansas City

1. Introduction and Guest Background (00:00 - 04:00)

The episode kicks off with a brief introduction from Steph Meyer, COO of Children's Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri. Meyer emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people, stating, “If you've hired the right people, 99.9% of people come to work to do a good job. Nobody wants to be on a B team” (00:00). Meyer oversees a vast team of approximately 6,000 employees in a complex healthcare environment, highlighting her extensive experience of nearly 28 years in the industry.

Savannah Brewer welcomes Meyer, noting the mutual Missouri connection and expressing excitement about the depth of their conversation focused on leadership, heart, communication, and people management within a large healthcare organization.

2. Leadership in Healthcare and Team Dynamics (04:00 - 07:36)

Meyer delves into the unique challenges of leading a diverse and extensive team in a hospital setting. She explains, “The way you lead somebody who is running security for an 8,500 employed hospital is different than the anesthesia doc” (04:52). Her role involves aligning various professionals—from security personnel to nurses and respiratory therapists—around common goals such as safety, patient outcomes, and overall patient experience.

Savannah Brewer probes into how leadership messages are effectively communicated from the top down, especially in a large organization, to which Meyer responds by outlining her strategies for maintaining consistency and clarity in leadership communication.

3. Ensuring Top-Down Healthy Messaging (07:36 - 13:05)

Addressing the challenge of maintaining consistency in messaging across a large organization, Meyer shares her approach to ensuring that core values are effectively communicated. She states, “I center all my messages around three things every single time... lead with love, be better tomorrow than you are today, and if you can help, you should” (07:36). These principles serve as a foundation for all her communications, whether in large orientations or smaller team meetings.

Meyer emphasizes the importance of being visible and authentic in leadership roles, ensuring that messages are not only heard but also believed and acted upon by all team members.

4. The Importance of Authenticity and Emotion in Leadership (13:05 - 21:59)

The conversation shifts to the significance of leading with emotion and authenticity. Brewer highlights the contrast between COOs who are people-oriented versus those who focus on operations and strategy. Meyer responds by underscoring that “people will work, they will die for you, they will run through fire for you” if they believe in the same common goals and values (14:13).

Meyer shares anecdotes illustrating how understanding employees’ personal stories and maintaining a positive intent can transform team dynamics and performance. She stresses the necessity of avoiding negative assumptions and fostering an environment where employees feel genuinely supported and valued.

5. Handling Assumptions and Building Relationships (21:59 - 29:04)

Meyer and Brewer discuss the pitfalls of making negative assumptions about employees' actions without understanding their underlying reasons. Meyer recounts instances where leaders might misinterpret behaviors due to personal biases, leading to strained relationships and reduced team cohesion. She advises, “Remember though, they each have a story... it has to do with most likely their individual story” (25:53).

The dialogue emphasizes the importance of open-ended questions and active listening to uncover the true reasons behind employees' behaviors, thereby fostering trust and stronger workplace relationships.

6. Measuring Wellness Initiatives ROI (29:04 - 37:34)

Brewer inquires about the effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of Children's Mercy’s wellness initiatives. Meyer explains their comprehensive approach to measuring success, which includes metrics like employee intent to stay, usage rates of wellness services, and feedback from pulse surveys. She states, “We measure intent to stay, usage of the program, and look at turnover percentages” (35:20).

Meyer highlights the critical role of a supportive executive team in implementing these initiatives and shares how their wellness center has positively impacted employee retention and mental health, particularly in high-stress environments like healthcare.

7. Self-Care for Leaders (37:34 - 43:58)

The conversation turns personal as Brewer asks Meyer about her self-care routines to stay grounded amidst her demanding role. Meyer candidly discusses the challenges of maintaining work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of adequate sleep, regular reading, exercise, and setting firm boundaries to protect her personal time. She mentions, “I make a pretty hard effort to read before I go to bed and try to be in bed at a decent time” (39:45).

Meyer also touches on the difficulty leaders face in saying no and the strategies she employs, such as delegating decision-making to her administrative support, to ensure she remains focused and energized.

8. Closing and Future Excitement (43:58 - End)

In the closing segment, Brewer invites Meyer to share what excites her about the future both professionally and personally. Meyer expresses enthusiasm for the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, anticipating significant improvements in patient care and operational efficiency. Personally, she looks forward to nurturing her relationship with her children as they grow into adulthood.

Meyer concludes with a reflection on legacy, hoping to mentor the next generation of leaders who will surpass her achievements: “When I hand off and give the baton, I hope that person's ahead” (46:14).

Savannah Brewer wraps up the episode by thanking Meyer for her insightful contributions, highlighting it as one of the most impactful conversations on the podcast.

Notable Quotes

• Steph Meyer (00:00): “If you've hired the right people, 99.9% of people come to work to do a good job. Nobody wants to be on a B team.”

• Steph Meyer (07:36): “I center all my messages around three things every single time... lead with love, be better tomorrow than you are today, and if you can help, you should.”

• Steph Meyer (14:13): “People will work, they will die for you, they will run through fire for you if they believe in the same common goals and values.”

• Steph Meyer (25:53): “Remember though, they each have a story... it has to do with most likely their individual story.”

• Steph Meyer (35:20): “We measure intent to stay, usage of the program, and look at turnover percentages.”

• Steph Meyer (39:45): “I make a pretty hard effort to read before I go to bed and try to be in bed at a decent time.”

• Steph Meyer (46:14): “When I hand off and give the baton, I hope that person's ahead.”

Conclusion

This episode of Second in Command offers a profound exploration of the interplay between employee well-being and professional growth. Stephanie Meyer’s insights into authentic leadership, effective communication, and comprehensive wellness initiatives provide valuable strategies for COOs and leaders across industries aiming to foster supportive and high-performing teams.

For more episodes and best practices from top COOs, visit COOAlliance.com.