Healthcare technology leader, Mr. Jean Drouin delivers a powerful lesson on the importance of curiosity, accountability, and people-focused leadership at UVU's Halladay Lecture Series.
Jean is widely respected for his leadership in healthcare technology and his work helping organizations improve through data, innovation, and strong people-focused practices.
Jean shared insights from his life and career that have shaped the way he leads today. His experiences working in different parts of the world and across various areas of healthcare and technology have taught him that meaningful progress always comes back to people. This foundation guided the central message of his lecture: great leaders surround themselves with great people and invest in those relationships with intention and consistency.
Throughout his talk, Jean highlighted six personal qualities that he believes matter most in business and in life: self-esteem, accountability, curiosity, humility, connectedness, and strong personal values. He invited students to reflect on their own hopes, motivations, and the lessons they have learned from challenges. Jean explained that self-belief is strengthened when individuals take time to understand themselves and embrace new experiences with confidence.
Jean spoke about accountability and encouraged students to pay attention to how they approach problems and opportunities. He asked them to consider whether they take ownership of their work, deliver on commitments, and push themselves to meet or exceed expectations. People who consistently demonstrate accountability, he explained, quickly become trusted members of any team.
Curiosity was another principle that Jean highlighted. He encouraged students to stay current by reading, asking questions, and seeking out new knowledge regularly. Jean shared that he continues to prioritize learning and sees curiosity as a key component of professional growth.
Humility, he noted, is equally important. Jean encouraged students to celebrate the accomplishments of others, to acknowledge when they are wrong, and to maintain an openness to new ideas. These behaviors, he explained, create positive and productive environments where people want to work and grow.
Jean also emphasized the value of connection. He spoke about the importance of empathy, teamwork, and supporting others. He encouraged students to notice the potential in people and to invest in relationships that uplift and strengthen those around them.
Another key theme of his lecture was the importance of living by one’s values. Jean reminded students that while skills and achievements matter, a strong moral compass shapes the impact a person will have throughout their life and career.
One of the most memorable moments of his talk came when he described an early project he worked on as a young consultant. He was asked to help evaluate the cost of bringing electricity to several towns in South Africa. Instead of completing the assignment without question, he asked why the approach was being taken in the first place. His willingness to speak up led the team to rethink the plan and move in a more realistic direction. Jean explained that this experience taught him the importance of forming thoughtful opinions and feeling confident enough to share them. He reminded students that asking why can often spark meaningful change.
Jean concluded by sharing some of the daily practices that help him stay centered. Each morning he asks himself, "How can I make today great?" This question guides him as he identifies the few key priorities that will make the day successful. He regularly reads and reflects, exercises, protects his sleep, and focuses on healthy eating habits. These simple routines, he explained, support both clarity and well-being.
He also spoke about his optimism regarding the future of artificial intelligence. While AI still has limitations, especially in complex diagnostic tasks, he noted that it has already made a significant difference by reducing administrative work for clinicians. Jean views AI as a supportive tool that enhances human work rather than replacing it.
The lecture ended with a piece of advice that captured the spirit of his message: "Be human."
The Woodbury School of Business extends its heartfelt thanks to Jean Drouin for sharing his time and insights with our UVU students. We wish him continued success in all his current and future endeavors.
Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?
Watch Mr. Jean Drouin's full lecture below.
