Jan 08 2025 10 mins
I’ve been reflecting on two stories from late last year—stories that aren’t just news headlines, but signals of deeper, systemic cracks in industries we depend on.
The first story: The tragic murder of United Healthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson, in broad daylight. While the act itself was horrific, the public’s reaction was startling: social media erupted with jokes, and many Americans seemed to view the act as a violent expression of anger at a healthcare system accused of prioritizing profit over people.
The second story: A groundbreaking lawsuit against 11 major food corporations, alleging that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are engineered to be addictive, contributing to a public health crisis. For many, these foods have become as harmful as cigarettes once were. What connects these stories?
Both are about systems that have lost their purpose. A healthcare system that denies care to boost profits. A food system that prioritizes addiction over nourishment. As executive leaders, what should we take from this?
I believe we need to start asking tougher questions:
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The first story: The tragic murder of United Healthcare’s CEO, Brian Thompson, in broad daylight. While the act itself was horrific, the public’s reaction was startling: social media erupted with jokes, and many Americans seemed to view the act as a violent expression of anger at a healthcare system accused of prioritizing profit over people.
The second story: A groundbreaking lawsuit against 11 major food corporations, alleging that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are engineered to be addictive, contributing to a public health crisis. For many, these foods have become as harmful as cigarettes once were. What connects these stories?
Both are about systems that have lost their purpose. A healthcare system that denies care to boost profits. A food system that prioritizes addiction over nourishment. As executive leaders, what should we take from this?
I believe we need to start asking tougher questions:
- When is enough, enough?
- What happens when a system’s priorities become so misaligned with its purpose that it breeds distrust—or worse, existential threats?
If you'd like to stay up to date with the work that we're producing to enhance the Collective Enterprise Leadership of Executive Teams, you can receive our bi-weekly newsletter. Sign up here: https://waldencroft.com/newsletter/