Episode 6: Tanya Little, Chief Commercial Officer of Vitality

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Digital Health Heavyweights for our sixth episode!Today, Norm sits down with Tanya Little, the Chief Commercial Officer at Vitality. Tanya shares her journey from banking to healthcare, her experiences at Life Healthcare, and her insights into the healthcare systems in South Africa and the US. She discusses the importance of behavioral economics in health, the challenges of health disparities, and her philosophy on building high-performing teams at Vitality. Norm and Tanya explore the evolving landscape of communication in leadership, the challenges of building culture in remote environments, and the importance of effective public speaking. Tanya shares insights on the looping technique for communication, common flaws in leadership communication, and strategies for soliciting feedback. They discuss the significance of recruiting for strengths and weaknesses, the growth journey of Vitality, and the engagement of diverse populations. Tanya also emphasizes the importance of stress management and shares healthy cooking tips. Tune in for another great episode and be sure to like and subscribe! Takeaways🥼 Tanya transitioned from banking to healthcare seeking purpose. 💪 Her experience at Life Healthcare taught her resilience and trust in herself. 🏥 The primary care business she launched faced cultural and operational challenges. 🦠 COVID-19 forced rapid decision-making in healthcare operations. ⚖️ The dual healthcare system in South Africa mirrors some aspects of the US system. 🚑 Health disparities exist in both South Africa and the US, affecting access to care. 📈 Vitality's mission is grounded in behavioral economics and making people healthier. 🎯 Building teams should focus on playing to individual strengths. 🛡️ Creating emotional safety is crucial for high-performing teams. 🗣️ Effective communication is essential for team success. Each generation struggles more with one-on-one communication. 🏛️ Culture is defined by actions, not just words. 🎤 Practice public speaking out loud for better performance. 🔄 Looping ensures mutual understanding in conversations. 👀 Leaders often overlook the importance of communication. 🎯 Intentionality in communication can enhance effectiveness. 💬 Feedback should be solicited in a constructive manner. 🔍 Hiring should focus on attributes like integrity and curiosity. 📊 Vitality has successfully engaged millions through behavioral science. 🥗 Healthy cooking can be simple and delicious. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tanya Little and Vitality10:10 Healthcare Systems: South Africa vs. US15:25 Joining Vitality: A Behavioral Economist's Perspective26:24 Building High-Performing Teams at Vitality33:49 Public Speaking Tips for Success40:41 Becoming a Better Communicator48:52 Vitality's Growth Journey55:10 Stress Management and Wellness PracticesFollow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast