Early in his career, Dennis Pullin wore suits off the rack that didn't quite fit. Over time, he started to wear tailored suits and have them regularly altered and refined. It was a metaphor for his leadership growth: “Every adjustment or alteration in my suits, I sort of made those type of alterations and adjustments as I became the leader that I wanted to be.” It's no surprise that this defining metaphor is central to his new book, Suited for Leadership. Leaders should look the part, argues Pullin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Virtua Health. But this doesn't mean they should feel complete or like a finished product. Humility is required to appreciate one's shortcomings as well as strengths. In this episode of WittKieffer's Impactful Leaders Podcast, Pullin speaks with Senior Partner Rachel Polhemus about his leadership journey, philosophy, and impact. Pullin shares his evolution from humble beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized healthcare leader. His ethos is deeply rooted in authenticity and service. He reflects, “In healthcare, we don't make widgets. We're people helping people,” underscoring his commitment to human-centered care. Throughout the conversation, Pullin highlights Virtua Health’s transformative initiatives, including the acquisition of a struggling health system, the creation of the Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences, and the launch of mobile health units and community development projects. These efforts reflect his dual imperative: “To do good means being committed to providing quality care. . . . To do well means being a good steward of our financial resources.” Pullin’s advice to aspiring leaders is both personal and profound: “Be fearlessly authentic,” he says, the "key to living a fulfilling and purposeful life."

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related