Slowing down isn’t an option in today’s fast-paced work environment, but a cancer diagnosis changed how a 42-year-old CEO viewed leadership. As Jennifer Goldsack, CEO at the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe), received an unexpected late-stage colon cancer diagnosis, after an initial bout of negative self-talk, she was able to set new rules of leadership that not only kept things going for her but also inspired others. One of the key rules that she inadvertently introduced in her organisation while battling cancer was ‘Take 5’, which soon became a mantra for everyone. Goldsack, in conversation with Business Insider, shared her inspiring story.
The cancer diagnosis that changed everything for Goldsack
After an emergency surgery last year around Christmas, Goldsack, a former athlete and a flourishing CEO came to know about her late-stage cancer diagnosis, something that pushed her to explore leadership from a fresh perspective, where she had to clearly communicate about her vulnerabilities, delegate more than she could take up, and take 5-minute micro breaks before and after every meeting to be kind to her body, while recovering from a deadly disease.
This was a departure from her earlier style, where she was the kind of boss who never asked her employees to do more than she would. “Be humble, be hungry, and always be the hardest working person in the room” was her mantra previously, she told Business Insider.
Early cancer signs that she ignored
Her early cancer signs showed up as exhaustion, depleted iron levels, and excruciating stomach pain. She couldn’t understand why taking a nap couldn’t fix her tiredness and blamed her work stress for her health issues.
“You idiot, suck it up, get it together, you need to get better with your sleep,” she would say.
“Good leadership is to be able to be clear and to have a plan,” Goldsack, head of the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe), told the outlet. “Or, to at least have a plan to make a plan. And I wasn’t able to do that.”
The new leadership rules
The cancer diagnosis unveiled her new leadership side, and while it was built on uncertainty and vulnerability, it worked for her organisation.
After her diagnosis, she spent the month of January in the hospital, where she lost 40 pounds, almost a third of her body weight, and felt like a frail bird. Battling the disease taught her how to come to terms with her vulnerabilities, as she needed help even for walking. This helped her define her future leadership strategy.
Goldsack shared three leadership learnings after her colon cancer diagnosis.
Blocking her calendar for health appointments
The 42-year-old CEO used her calendar to block off her health appointments and chemotherapy sessions, ensuring her team is aware of her availability.
“I’ve really leaned into using my calendar and being really clear about what I’m up to,” she told Business Insider.
While she’s away, she encourages her team to carry on. “Really communicating with them early: ‘Look, this is what’s going on with me.’”
Stepping back when needed
On days when she feels unwell, she informs her team that she needs to cancel her meetings for the day.
“It’s been interesting for me on a leadership journey, but also thinking about what it means to have a healthy workforce, and healthy in every sense.”
“Me saying ‘guys, I can’t do it today,’ and I’m giving myself space, and I’m being very transparent about that and hopefully creating an environment where you guys know that you can do this too, and you will be supported.”
Take 5 minutes
As a CEO, Goldsack had to do back-to-back meetings, but that became unfeasible at times, so she started giving herself 5 minutes before or after the meetings. The extra minutes gave her time to breathe, close her eyes, grab a drink, or use the bathroom. The Take 5 has now become an unofficial company policy, encouraging others to use a few minutes for self-care.
On a recovery path
Goldsack is on a path to recovery and regaining the muscles that she lost during the treatment. She told Business Insider that working has been a huge gift during the treatment, as she got to be something other than a cancer patient. She also acknowledged that her cancer treatment has changed the way she works forever.
