Kory Dogs
August 31, 2024
Tracy Johnson, CEO of InitiativeOne, reflects on her career transition from healthcare to leadership consulting, where she now leads a company focused on building high-performing leaders and cultures. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership and an MBA, Tracy shifted to entrepreneurship at age 40. Under her leadership, InitiativeOne partners with public education, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail sectors to transform leadership styles and foster team dynamics. Tracy emphasizes the importance of collaborative leadership and continuous learning, aiming to make a meaningful impact on personal and professional lives.
Tracy also discusses InitiativeOne’s influence on NFL teams, enhancing team chemistry and leadership dynamics. In addition, she highlights the challenges faced by public education, particularly post-pandemic, and her belief in leadership’s role in inspiring and guiding teams effectively. Tracy reflects on her career, underscoring the significance of facing challenges, evolving as a leader, and focusing on what works. Looking ahead, she remains passionate about the growth opportunities in public education and the impact her company can have on improving student outcomes.
Podcast Transcript:
Kory Dogs: Hello everyone, this is Coach Kory Dogs from ActionCOACH Business Coaching. I’m excited to have Tracy Johnson with us today. She’s the CEO and transformation leader of InitiativeOne. Tracy’s background is in healthcare. She is an RN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and also an MBA. She brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience to InitiativeOne, where she helps clients achieve top-level leadership environments within their organizations. Leadership has always been a passion for Tracy. At 40, she made a career change to run and operate her husband’s entrepreneurial business, InitiativeOne, which she’s been doing for the past 18 years. InitiativeOne builds high-performing leaders and cultures that create significant impacts within organizations, and they work with some big companies across the country, including five NFL teams. On a personal note, Tracy and her husband have raised eight wonderful children. Eight kids! That’s amazing.
Tracy Johnson: Yes, eight kids!
Kory: I have four. Tracy’s favorite activities in her downtime include traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with family. One of the things she’s most proud of is the professional and personal impact she’s able to make in other people’s lives. “When they get better, all boats rise.” So, it’s a pleasure to welcome Tracy to the show today. Hi, Tracy!
Tracy: Thanks so much for inviting me. I really appreciate it.
Kory: Alright, let’s jump right in. Could you share a bit about your personal journey? Where did you grow up, and how did you get started?
Tracy: Sure! I actually grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and spent the first 20 years of my career in healthcare here. I worked at a local hospital, holding a lead nursing position, often working 24/7.
Kory: Where did you go to school?
Tracy: I went to Bellin College of Nursing, also here in Green Bay.
Kory: Great! So, how did your healthcare leadership journey lead to a career change?
Tracy: In healthcare, I found myself drawn to the business side. While I loved the caregiving aspect, I often found myself stepping up to lead new initiatives, like starting a pediatric ICU or transitioning urgent care to an ER. This sparked my entrepreneurial spirit. During this time, I met Dr. Fred Johnson, CEO of InitiativeOne. He introduced my team to a process that helped us perform at a higher level. I fell in love with the process, and our team began standing out within the hospital system. Eventually, I decided to leave healthcare and join Fred in helping other businesses transform their leadership.
Kory: That’s an inspiring journey. Speaking of leadership, what’s your leadership style?
Tracy: I’d say I have a collaborative leadership style. I surround myself with great talent and let them lead in their areas of expertise. I also believe in modeling the way—leading by example.
Kory: Would you say that’s the best leadership style, or just your style?
Tracy: It’s just my style. Leadership requires flexibility. Sometimes you need to be more directive, and other times you need to let your team take the lead. It all depends on the situation and the needs of the organization.
Kory: Tell us more about InitiativeOne. How do you help organizations, and what does your process look like?
Tracy: When we engage with organizations, our focus is on helping them move from point A to point B, which often involves significant change. We believe that organizations don’t change unless their leaders do. We work closely with executive teams to help them transform—not by changing who they are, but by deepening their understanding of themselves and leading from their strengths. We also introduce leadership fundamentals, which we call the Five C’s: Communication, Change Leadership, Conflict Leadership, Creating a Safe Environment, and having the tough conversations needed to move the organization forward.
Kory: That sounds impactful. What types of organizations do you work with?
Tracy: We have expertise in four main areas: public education, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. In public education, we work with superintendents and help teachers see themselves as leaders. In healthcare, we work with physician groups and research institutes. Manufacturing is another area where we apply leadership transformation, aligning it with process improvement. And in retail, we help organizations build leadership across their stores, especially in regions where they’re expanding.
Kory: And you mentioned you also work with NFL teams?
Tracy: Yes, Fred, our founder and my husband, works with NFL teams, focusing on the chemistry within the locker room. The old top-down leadership style doesn’t work anymore, even in sports. It’s about building relationships and creating effective teams. Fred works with the coaching staff to bridge generational gaps and build stronger teams.
Kory: It’s amazing how similar the dynamics are between sports teams and business teams. Leadership is key in both.
Tracy: Absolutely. Leadership today is about managing your team’s energy and inspiring them to move in a direction they want to follow. Followership is a gift.
Kory: I heard a great quote once: “Good leaders make people like them, but great leaders make people like themselves.”
Tracy: That’s spot on.
Kory: You’ve been with InitiativeOne for about 20 years now. How long have you been CEO?
Tracy: I’ve been CEO for about a year and a half. Before that, I was the COO and CFO.
Kory: When did you realize you wanted to take on the CEO role?
Tracy: Fred led the company for the first 24 years. As we grew, we realized the company needed to stand on its own without Fred’s day-to-day involvement. So, we focused on developing our team, sales, and business engagement processes. It was a natural evolution for me to step into the CEO role as Fred transitioned to a founder role.
Kory: Looking back, would you change anything about your journey?
Tracy: I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve always believed in giving it my all, whether in healthcare or business. I’ve learned so much along the way, and every step has been the right move at the right time.
Kory: Is there a common myth about business owners and CEOs that you’d like to dispel?
Tracy: People sometimes forget that CEOs are human too. We face the same insecurities, challenges, and struggles as everyone else. What sets us apart is how we confront and handle those challenges.
Kory: What’s the best advice you’ve received recently?
Tracy: Developing great teams takes focus, time, and attention. You get what you focus on—if you look for problems, you’ll find them. But if you focus on what’s working and where you can improve, you’ll find that too.
Kory: That’s powerful. Now, shifting gears, what’s something new you’d like to learn?
Tracy: I love the outdoors, and my son shares that passion. I’d like to take a course on Wisconsin’s topography and plant life to deepen my appreciation for the natural environment.
Kory: That sounds interesting. Looking ahead, what’s the biggest growth opportunity for InitiativeOne over the next few years?
Tracy: Our biggest opportunity is in public education. Post-pandemic, schools have faced challenges with recruitment, retention, and student outcomes. We’ve seen the impact we can have in this area, and we’re focused on expanding our work in education over the next three to five years.
Kory: What challenges do you foresee in achieving that growth?
Tracy: Like any business, our challenges revolve around having the right people in place to deliver our services and grow the business.
Kory: Lastly, what advice would you give to business owners trying to do everything on their own?
Tracy: Ask for help! No business owner is alone. There are always resources available, and getting advice from others is invaluable.
Kory: Great advice. Before we wrap up, are there any shoutouts you’d like to give?
Tracy: I’d like to thank my husband and partner, Dr. Fred Johnson, who’s been an incredible mentor for the past 20 years. Another key mentor is Dr. Paul Metler, who has shaped my thinking on leadership. And, of course, our amazing clients, who are always striving to improve, whether they’re facing challenges or going through a turnaround.
Kory: If someone wants to learn more about InitiativeOne, how can they reach out?
Tracy: You can visit our website at initiativeone.com. We also hold a monthly Think Tank, where we discuss leadership topics with close to a thousand participants. It’s a great opportunity to engage with our leadership community and learn from others who have gone through our processes. You can find more information on our website.
Kory: Wonderful. Well, that’s all the time we have for today. Tracy, it was a pleasure meeting you and learning more about your journey and InitiativeOne. Thanks for being on the show.
Tracy: Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.