Bred To Lead | With Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs
People aren’t born to lead; they’re bred to lead. Leadership isn’t some inherent quality coded into your DNA—it’s developed, honed, and forged through experiences, challenges, and intentional growth. Being “bred to lead” is about more than just having a title or natural charisma. It’s about embracing the grind, building resilience, and committing to the kind of personal development that molds someone into a true leader. Why “Bred to Lead” Matters More Than Being “Born to Lead”: When people say leaders are born, it implies that leadership is exclusive—something reserved for a select few. But “Bred to Lead” flips that notion on its head. It’s about recognizing that leadership potential is universal, but realizing it requires a process. No one simply wakes up one day as a great leader. Instead, it’s the intentional experiences—mentorship, adversity, education, and practice—that shape someone into a leader worth following. Think of it like this: a person might have natural talent, but talent alone doesn’t make a champion. Champions are bred through relentless training, countless hours of practice, and a mindset built for growth. Leadership is no different. It’s the result of a deliberate process, not a birthright. What It Really Means to Be “Bred to Lead”: Forged Through Adversity: Being “bred” suggests a process of refinement. It’s about going through setbacks, navigating crises, and coming out stronger. Great leaders aren’t the ones who never fail—they’re the ones who learn and evolve from every failure. Built by Purposeful Development: The “bred to lead” philosophy is rooted in the idea of intentional growth. This means placing people in environments that stretch them, giving them responsibilities that push their boundaries, and exposing them to the kind of guidance and mentorship that accelerates their development. Shaped by Experiences: Leaders aren’t made in a classroom or born with a skillset—they’re shaped in the field. Every tough decision, difficult conversation, and unexpected obstacle becomes part of the process that breeds someone into a leader. It’s not about being a “natural”—it’s about being someone who learns through doing. Driven by a Relentless Mindset: “Bred to Lead” also speaks to the mindset. It’s about a commitment to growth—never settling, never getting comfortable, and always striving to be better. It’s the mindset that says, “I wasn’t given this; I earned this.” The Beauty of “Bred to Lead”: The beauty of this concept is that it’s inclusive. It’s not about where you start—it’s about where you’re willing to go. Anyone, regardless of background, upbringing, or natural traits, can be bred to lead if they’re willing to go through the process. It’s a journey of growth that’s accessible to everyone who’s ready to put in the work and embrace the path. By emphasizing “Bred to Lead,” you’re making a powerful statement: leadership isn’t about who you are—it’s about who you’re becoming. It’s about dedication, resilience, and transformation. Being “bred to lead” means you’re shaped by every experience, and you carry the marks of every challenge you’ve faced. You’re not a leader by chance; you’re a leader by design. So, it’s not just that people aren’t born to lead—they don’t have to be. Because the real leaders are those who’ve been bred to rise up, forged in the fires of experience, and refined through continuous growth. And that’s a story that speaks to every aspiring leader, whether they’re just starting out or already on the path. It’s the ultimate equalizer in leadership: no matter where you begin, you can become Bred to Lead. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a first-time manager, ”Bred to Lead” will help you unlock your full potential as a leader and build a culture of engagement, innovation, and purpose. Join Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs on this transformative journey and discover how putting your people first can lead to game-changing results. Bredtolead.com
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Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
This episode exposes why hospitals break under pressure: not because of staffing shortages but because systems are built to survive, not scale. Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs walks through how to diagnose a facility’s "shaking point," the signs of survival infrastructure, and why slowing down strategically creates lasting speed.
He outlines a practical playbook—map failures, design for 150% capacity, pilot changes in parallel, standardize processes, and measure stability—and shares a sterile processing case study that cut overtime, eliminated agency spend, and reduced turnover while increasing capacity.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
In this episode Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs diagnoses a leadership famine in healthcare caused by promoting technical stars into roles they aren’t trained for. He explains the "clinical excellence trap," why clinical skill ≠ leadership capacity, and the systemic issues that keep organizations repeating the mistake.
The episode outlines five essential leadership skills—systems thinking, emotional intelligence, change management, a development mindset, and strategic foresight—and offers clear fixes: separate career tracks, assess capability not just credentials, create apprenticeships and development ramps, invest in sustained training, and hold leaders accountable for developing others.
Practical, urgent, and solution-focused, this episode shows how to stop accidentally finding leaders and start intentionally building them to create resilient healthcare organizations.
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Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
In episode 31 of Bread to Lead, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs exposes the "trauma budget"—how hospitals fund emergency fixes while starving prevention. He explains why crisis spending masks hidden long-term costs, shares real-world examples, and outlines a prevention-focused budget framework that measures ROI, aligns funding with strategy, and builds sustainable systems. Leaders will learn practical steps to shift from firefighting to designing resilient organizations.
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs returns to tackle the leadership and staffing crisis in American hospitals, diagnosing how reliance on temporary staffing erodes culture, budgets, and patient care.
This episode outlines practical design principles—pipeline development, transparent compensation, strategic scheduling, and listening leadership—and challenges leaders to move from short-term fixes to sustainable system redesign.
Want to get access to the upcoming masterclasses, live events and exclusive resources needed to be a great leader.. go to bredtolead.com
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Decision Paralysis: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Calls
Through the shocking case of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where leadership inaction led to preventable deaths, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs reveals why even the smartest leaders become paralyzed when facing crucial decisions.
You'll discover:
✓ Why prestigious organizations fail to act on clear warnings
✓ How expertise becomes a barrier to decisive action
✓ The hidden cost of delayed decisions
✓ Systems for breaking through decision paralysis
Perfect for:
Leaders facing critical decisions
Organizations struggling with decisive action
Executives managing change
Teams dealing with analysis paralysis
Learn how one of healthcare's most respected names allowed children to die because leaders couldn't make crucial decisions - and ensure your organization never falls into the same trap.
🎯 Ready to break through decision paralysis?
Get the blueprint: Grab 'Bred to Lead' on Amazon
Join the community: Visit bredtolead.com
Connect: Follow Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs on LinkedIn
Share your journey: Rate us on Apple Podcasts
When smart leaders make bad calls, everyone pays the price. Learn how to make decisions that matter.
#LeadershipDecisions #OrganizationalChange #DecisionMaking #BredToLead
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
90 Days to Make or Break: A $60M Leadership Collapse
In March 2014, North Adams Regional Hospital shut its doors with just three days' notice, leaving 37,000 residents without healthcare and hundreds jobless. In this gripping episode, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs breaks down how critical mistakes in the first 90 days of leadership set the stage for a $60 million collapse.
You'll discover:
✓ The fatal first moves that doom new leaders
✓ How to build credibility when stakes are highest
✓ Why most leaders misread organizational reality
✓ The hidden traps in the first 90 days
Perfect for:
New leaders stepping into critical roles
Organizations managing leadership transitions
Executives facing turnaround situations
Anyone responsible for leading change
Through this real-world leadership autopsy, learn the crucial moves that make or break your leadership legacy in the first 90 days.
🎯 Ready to master your leadership transitions?
Get the blueprint: Grab 'Bred to Lead' on Amazon
Join the community: Visit bredtolead.com
Connect: Follow Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs on LinkedIn
Share your journey: Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Don't let your first moves be your last. Learn from others' fatal mistakes.
#LeadershipTransition #OrganizationalChange #CaseStudy #BredToLead
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Episode 27: Lessons from the $8 Billion Healthcare System's Collapse
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs breaks down the shocking collapse of Steward Health Care - one of America's largest private hospital systems. Through this real-time case study of an $8 billion leadership failure, we explore how aggressive expansion and short-term thinking can destroy even the most promising organizations.
You'll discover:
✓ Why rapid growth without operational excellence is a recipe for disaster
✓ The hidden dangers of prioritizing expansion over sustainability
✓ How leadership blind spots develop in growing organizations
✓ Critical lessons for leading sustainable growth
Perfect for:
Leaders managing rapid growth
Executives planning expansion strategies
Organizations balancing growth with sustainability
Anyone interested in learning from real leadership failures
Witness how a healthcare giant went from visionary promises to bankruptcy, and learn the crucial lessons that can help you avoid similar pitfalls.
🎯 Ready to learn from others' mistakes?
Get the blueprint: Grab 'Bred to Lead' on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Bred-Lead-People-First-Results-Second-Leader/dp/B0D5GXB3BG
Join the community: Visit bredtolead.com
Check out our company: Visit sipshealthcare.com
Connect: Follow Dr. Jake on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaketaylerjacobs
Share your journey: Rate us on Apple Podcasts
This isn't just another business case study – it's a wake-up call for every leader who confuses growth with success.
#LeadershipLessons #OrganizationalFailure #CaseStudy #BredToLead #SipsHealthcareSolutions
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Episode 26: Success by Design: Why Success Happens Before the Moment
Discover why true success isn't about rising to the occasion - it's about being prepared before the moment arrives. In this powerful episode, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs reveals how to combine mental and physical preparation to create inevitable success.
You'll learn:
✓ Why visualization alone isn't enough
✓ How to build mental and physical practice routines
✓ Creating organizational readiness
✓ Building success laboratories
✓ The power of systematic preparation
Perfect for:
Leaders preparing for major challenges
Organizations building readiness
Teams seeking consistent excellence
Anyone ready to move beyond hope to preparation
Learn why success is designed, not discovered, and how to prepare for your defining moments.
🎯 Ready to design your success?
Get the blueprint: Grab 'Bred to Lead' on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Bred-Lead-People-First-Results-Second-Leader/dp/B0D5GXB3BG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2H1PSDIS4OBKD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GjbuNvEr-oGTUYlMVvLCpXMq5QFanCZQn7L74ad19cAn0e0QzYb-Xkn7DDzE_MAsyA_9X8jILj0sgeFdRQ6t8EmNZtzXopgT2gfcSavUfIqSmsIw5K4_f6ozhY3rWELaPPSbkF__yfflaSIZTCQQviGetFt3iJCwZTSRlhzzPHmbNEaToqq9jN2PzrmD-iuVntKWXe_Xcx4fFyoZ3CV63Z8PaBoWTlqYbBOWTwPPCcw.FpoZGxl7q9VTKaIM-vqmWPDcd1OHspR7s8hMeYMBlIE&dib_tag=se&keywords=bred+to+lead&qid=1735657606&sprefix=bred+to+lea%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1
Join the community: Visit bredtolead.com
Connect: Follow Dr. Jake on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaketaylerjacobs/
Share your journey: Rate us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bred-to-lead-with-dr-jake-tayler-jacobs/id1744976367
Stop hoping for success. Start designing it.
#SuccessbyDesign #LeadershipDevelopment #MentalPreparation #BredToLead
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Episode 25: Leading Without Authority: Building Influence Beyond Your Title
Why do some leaders create massive impact regardless of their title, while others with significant authority struggle to drive real change? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs reveals the truth about building influence that transcends position.
You'll discover: ✓ Why relying on positional power actually limits your influence ✓ The four key elements of building real influence ✓ How to create value that naturally extends your impact ✓ Practical strategies for building influence ecosystems ✓ The secret to scaling your influence as you grow
Perfect for:
Leaders looking to increase their impact
Rising executives transitioning from authority to influence
Professionals leading cross-functional initiatives
Anyone seeking to create change without formal authority
Learn why traditional power dynamics fail and discover how to build lasting influence that drives real results.
🎯 Ready to expand your influence?
Get the blueprint: Grab 'Bred to Lead' on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5GXB3BG
Join the community: Visit bredtolead.com
Connect: Follow Dr. Jake on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaketaylerjacobs/
Share your journey: Rate us on Apple Podcasts
Stop relying on position. Start building real influence.
#LeadershipInfluence #OrganizationalChange #ExecutivePresence #BredToLead
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Episode 24: Closing the Gap: The Hidden Cost of Leadership Isolation
The growing disconnect between leadership and front-line teams is costing organizations more than they realize. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs breaks down how leadership isolation develops, its true cost, and actionable strategies to bridge the gap.
You'll discover:
✓ Why even well-intentioned leaders become disconnected
✓ The hidden costs of leadership isolation
✓ Four key principles for maintaining connection while scaling
✓ How to build systems that prevent isolation
✓ Practical strategies for meaningful front-line engagement
Perfect for:
Leaders managing growing organizations
Executives concerned about losing touch
Organizations experiencing communication gaps
Teams feeling disconnected from leadership
Learn why traditional solutions fall short and discover a framework for creating lasting connection at any scale.
🎯 Ready to close the leadership gap?
Get the blueprint: Grab 'Bred to Lead' on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5GXB3BG
Join the community: Visit bredtolead.com
Connect: Follow Dr. Jake on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaketaylerjacobs/
Share your journey: Rate us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bred-to-lead-with-dr-jake-tayler-jacobs/id1744976367
Don't let isolation undermine your leadership impact. Learn how to stay connected while scaling.
#LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalCulture #BredToLead