The Art and Science of Leadership
The Art and Science of Leadership
By Kyle Fisher
Chief Executive Officer, VEI
By Kyle Fisher
Chief Executive Officer, VEI
I first began studying the art and science of leadership back in business school many years ago. I read all the articles and books I could find on leadership trying to find the magic formula for that perfect leader. What I have learned over the years in business, and in life, is that no perfect formula for leadership exists. Each person is different and each situation is different. Therefore, the first place to learn about leadership is to take a hard look inside yourself to develop the strengths you need to lead.
I believe that leaders are born and that leaders are made. If you polled my classmates back in business school, they might not have pegged me as a future CEO. But my first step toward becoming a leader actually happened during that time. That experience, and a simple question one day from my marketing professor, forced me to look inside to determine who I was. That introspection put me on the path to becoming the leader I am today.
Leadership takes work. It takes courage, it takes self-realization, and it takes a village. Recently, I had a conversation about leadership with Rod Smith who is a friend and an English teacher at St. Richard’s School here in Indianapolis. Rod is also a student and a teacher of leadership. He said, “A true leader can do nothing of enduring value without his or her community, without taking time to learn from others, without allowing time to uncover the true strength found in a shared spirit of discovery, respect and humility.” Rod is also a minister, and he leads people on different paths all around the world.
As you let Rod’s words sink in just for a moment, recall how many times you have heard “it’s lonely at the top.” Why do you suppose this is? I would suggest that such a leader has misused power, doesn’t understand how important building relationships is, and is perhaps the kind of leader we have read about in many history books. A true leader can move mountains without seeking credit. A true leader is more interested in changing themselves than changing others. It is impossible to lead all the time; we have to learn to be good followers when the situation calls for it. This is the transformation I made, and continue to work on each and every day that I’m fortunate enough to lead our wonderful team at VEI.
My final thought on leadership is this: we all assume our leadership experience begins at work. It doesn’t. I believe my greatest leadership accomplishment so far is the leadership of my family. A leader has a strong sense of values, honesty, integrity, and an understanding that it’s not about money all the time. Start your path to leadership within yourself and with your close friends and family. Your leadership accomplishments in business will surely follow.
Kyle Fisher has more than 20 years of experience in finance, new business development, strategic planning and organizational leadership. He joined VEI in early 2008 as chief operating officer (COO). As COO, he was responsible for providing operational accountability and executive leadership for the entire organization, including the development of strategic plans that provide advancement of financial goals, as well as promote solid partnerships with physicians and hospitals.
Additionally, Kyle has been involved with VEI for many years, through his service as a board member and chairman of the Investment Committee. Additionally, he has been a part of Community Health Network’s Audit Committee.
Prior to joining VEI, Kyle was executive vice president at Goelzer Investment Management where he was responsible for new business development and client services. He has also held senior-level leadership positions in the banking industry. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Denison University and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University.
Kyle is actively involved in the local community and serves on the boards of the Indianapolis Zoological Society and the United Methodist Foundation of South Indiana. He is also involved with the Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis and the Heroes Foundation.
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