141: Keith E. Smith on Cultivating A Better Path

Unlabeled Leadership

I invite guests to share personal stories about acts of leadership that help shape their lives. In Episode 141, Keith E. Smith talks about his transformational journey and how he strengthened his leadership. He talks about how his company was initially affected by COVID but then how his people made a difference in the medical community. Keith then advises us about prioritizations.

Prologue

Keith E. Smith, CEO of Vonco Products, a leading medical device contract manufacturing and consumer flexible packaging producer, has made some recent life-balancing changes that opened him to lead more through connection than strategy. His company has a powerful core value: “We care more: About each other; About our customers; About patients and consumers.”

01:08 Part 1: Intelligence and Knowledge May Be Necessary but Not Sufficient

Keith describes his journey about how he transformed his life at and outside of work.

08:23 Part 2: We Care More

When COVID started, Keith talks about how his company was initially affected. He then explains how the people at Vonco rose to the occasion to make a difference by filling gaps in medical supplies.

13:47 Part 3: Flip It

Keith advises us to change how we prioritize and rethink what’s important.

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Robynne Orr is the opening voice narrator. To learn more about her amazing storytelling capabilities, visit Robynne’s website, R.ORR.

⁠Transcript through Otter (expect some inaccuracies)

Episode links

Keith’s LinkedIn Profile and website

His company’s website

Two of Keith’s articles:

Unlocking The Potential of Having It All: Part I – The Path of Force

Unlocking The Potential to Having It All: Part II, The Path of Power

Gary DePaul’s website

Gary's books:

What the Heck Is Leadership and Why Should I Care?

Nine Practices of 21st Century Leadership (Second Edition)

The 2022 HRBP Report (free formats available)

Lead on!