The Will to Win and the Power of Servant Leadership with Mike Murphy

What if true leadership wasn’t about titles or power, but about serving others and creating lasting value? In this episode, Mike Murphy shares lessons from over 40 years of leadership in healthcare, technology, and insurance — where he built billion-dollar companies, revitalized struggling businesses, and ultimately launched Sunstone Management Advisors. Known for his transformative leadership, Mike has orchestrated the integration of three disparate healthcare businesses, achieving 18% revenue and 40% EBITDA growth in the first year. Through these experiences, and inspired by the mentorship of bosses and his father, Mike embraced timeless principles of leadership: always out-earn your pay, give more than you take, find a way to win, and lead by serving others. His story is one of resilience, accountability, and a commitment to ethical success and cultural alignment. From empowering teams to pull off the “Massachusetts Miracle” to helping leadership groups push beyond the status quo, Mike demonstrates the power of building high-performing teams and creating sustainable enterprise value.   [00:04:05] – Mike’s Journey Into Leadership 40+ years in healthcare and insurance Building and fixing companies inside large organizations Leading billion-dollar growth and turnarounds Founding Sunstone Management Advisors to help companies “go beyond” [00:11:20] – The Core Question: Who Changed Everything? Mike credits multiple people throughout his career His father’s timeless lessons: always out-earn your pay, give 51% in partnerships, don’t spend other people’s money The difference between personal and professional relationships [00:17:20] – A Defining Mentor A boss who demanded results: “There is no try—only do or do not.” Learning empowerment: good people find a way to make things happen Leadership redefined: you’re not the star, your people are Servant leadership as the true source of influence [00:24:20] – The Massachusetts Miracle Taking over a struggling sales office on the verge of closure Inspiring 50+ team members to work beyond their roles “Doctor Storm”: rallying everyone around one mission Grew market share 30% and delivered record earnings despite no extra resources [00:27:55] – Lessons From a Lifetime of Leadership Diversify your career early to build range and resilience Relationships are built on meeting obligations, not just camaraderie Empowerment and service unlock hidden potential in teams The long-term compounding value of showing up with discipline and grit Key Quotes “Out-earn your pay. In an equal partnership, give 51%.” — Mike Murphy “Good people find a way to make things happen.” — Mike Murphy “You’re not the star, your people are. Your job is to serve them.” — Mike Murphy Connect with Mike Murphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-murphy Website: sunstonemanagementadvisors.com   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify |  iHeart Radio | Stitcher