David Zechman is currently a published author writing "Driven by Compassion ‒ 8 Values For Successful Servant Leaders" which is based on real life experiences of interviewed leaders from CEO's to supervisors. Zechman is also an accomplished public speaker, executive coach, leadership consultant, college professor, an active member of two boards, and CEO of Mergestone Group which acquires and manages assisted living and home health agencies. Zechman spent 39 years in healthcare until he retired as a hospital President and CEO." Zechman is also an accomplished public speaker, leadership development consultant, CEO of Mergestone Group a published author, writing "Driven By Compassion ‒ 8 Values
David M Zechman BSE, MPA, LFACHE, President ‒ The Zechman Group
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
My name is David Zechman. I grew up in Cleveland Ohio with my high school sweetheart, Rhonda and have been married for 46 years. We have two grown daughters, Audra ( married to Zach) who live in Indianapolis with our granddaughter and grandson, and Alyssa ( married to Scott) and live in Hot Springs Arkansas with our two granddaughters.
I attended Miami University (Ohio) earning a BSE, Cleveland State University where I earned an MPA, and am a Life Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. I spent 37 years in healthcare starting as a bedside respiratory therapist and later transitioned to a number of leadership roles from working supervisor to President and CEO jobs. I spent my career serving urban and rural healthcare systems in Cleveland, Toledo, Kansas City, Louisville, Belle Glade Florida, West Plains Missouri, and retiring as the President and CEO of McLaren Northern Michigan in January 2019.
My hobbies and interests include traveling to spend time with our grandchildren, traveling to our beloved Europe, reading, and being an avid pickleball player.
What is your business name and how do you help your clients?
Business name: The Zechman Group. My business focuses on marketing and selling my new book: “ Driven by Compassion ‒ 8 Values For Successful Servant Leaders”, keynote public speaking based on my book, executive coaching, leadership consulting, and hospital operations consulting. I am the CEO of Mergestone Group, which is a new company focused on acquiring and managing home health agencies and assisted living facilities, and currently teaching a graduate course at Cleveland State University in the Monte Abuja College of Business.
What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future?
My business achievement goals for The Zechman Group include selling at least 1000 books ( have achieved 70%), growing the keynote speaking engagements to 8-10 per year, achieving 50% growth in executive coaching clients, providing ongoing leadership to grow market share with Mergestone Group, and to continue sharing my knowledge with future leaders in the Health Care Administration track at Cleveland State University.
What led you to embracing being a servant leader?
This philosophy started when I was a brand new high school teacher and coach right out of college. I believed that supporting the educational and athletic needs of high school students was important for their future, and I liked doing it! Fast forward, this foundation carried over to my leadership experiences in healthcare. I realized that supporting the success of those I lead was just “the right thing to do,” and their success would be my success which would lead to the organization’s success. How can one argue with that formula?
In today’s new world created in large part by the pandemic, trusted employees are expecting and in some cases demanding, that their leaders value their work and in addition, provide the resources and tools for their individual and team success.
Please explain the differences between the more top down, hierarchal leader vs. a servant leader?
The style that our parents and grandparents probably worked within was top-down from all levels of management. Management was always right, and just do what you are told to keep your job. Today, employees expect and in some cases demand, that their leaders serve them by providing the “whys” along with the resources and tools for them to be successful. In addition, they also expect to be included in decision-making as well as be treated compassionately related to their work and personal needs.
What are the challenges in being a servant leader?
First, the organization has to be willing to embrace the culture of compassionate servant leadership. It needs to start with top management or it will likely fail. Second, being a servant leader involves living the 8 values of compassionate servant leadership which will be reviewed later in this interview. Living these 8 values in your work takes more time and effort than just handing down orders. Finally, this philosophy involves more than just worrying about the income statement. In fact, I would argue that the balance sheet will improve due to greater productivity, improved employee engagement, and a decrease in employee turnover as a result of this leadership style.
Your book describes eight core values of compassionate servant leadership that lead to greater engagement and fulfillment in your job and personal life.
The following is a short description of each value: The following is a short description of each value:
Patience - mastering the ability publicly and privately to exhibit self-control in challenging and tense situations.
Trustful - encouraging those you lead with support and belief in their talents and skills.
Grudgeless - being willing to forgive professionally and personally.
Servant Leadership - facilitating the success of those you serve leads to both the organization’s and your success when you think of yourself less.
Walk the Talk - living and breathing love and compassion values in your daily leadership journey.
Honesty and Integrity - being open and truthful individually and for anything regarding the organization.
Communication - practicing regular and consistent communication
tactics that include genuine encouragement and honest feedback.
Commitment - staying dedicated and true to your personal and professional values no matter what the circumstances - good and bad.
Was there a particular leader or leaders who have inspired you to become a servant leader?
The greatest servant leader of all time, Jesus Christ inspired me to adopt this philosophy. Other leaders were Phillip Incarnati, system CEO of McLaren Healthcare, Douglas Shaw, retired President of Jewish Hospital in Louisville Kentucky, and Philip Weintraub, former Special Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and philanthropist. These men were outstanding leaders who exhibited all of the 8 values of Compassionate Servant Leadership in their own unique ways.
While all eight values to be a successful leader are important, which would you rate as the top 3?
In a survey with all of the leaders interviewed for my book, they rated the top 3 as follows:
Walk the Talk
Communication
Honesty and Integrity
Wonder what your top 3 would be after reading the book?
Is there anything you wish someone had told during your leadership journey that you had to experience on your own?
To be patent and flexible. Not everyone you lead will embrace being a servant leader. Second, developing a report based on quantifiable data that shows the benefits of servant leadership.
What makes your new book and leadership development unique to other leadership books and programs?
This book is filled with real-life stories, both good and bad regarding compassionate servant leadership. It also includes suggestions on how to implement each of the values. Finally, it is an inspiring read that provides the knowledge leaders need to “remember, renew, and refresh” as to why they originally accepted the honor and privilege of being a leader.
