Apr 15, 2026
What does it take to grow from an engineer into the CEO of a Fortune 500 company?
In this episode, Chris Sugden, Managing Partner at Edison Partners, sits down with Rick McKenney, CEO of Unum, to unpack a leadership journey shaped by taking risks, embracing discomfort, and continuously learning. From his early days in GE’s legendary training program to leading a public company, Rick shares how saying yes to hard roles and the right mentors can accelerate growth in ways no playbook can.
The conversation explores what it really means to lead at scale, including the shift from operator to culture carrier, the importance of board alignment, and how transparency builds stronger organizations. Rick also shares how Unum strengthened its culture through purpose, particularly during moments that tested the business, and how leaders can create environments where people grow by being challenged.
From leadership development to AI adoption, this episode offers a practical look at how executives can evolve alongside their companies while staying grounded in purpose and people.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
- Why growth happens fastest when you’re uncomfortable
- How to navigate the transition from operator to CEO
- The importance of mentorship and seeking out feedback early
- How strong culture and purpose scale in large organizations
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:05) Rick McKenney’s journey from engineering to
CEO
(03:20)
Early career lessons from GE’s leadership
culture
(06:10)
Taking risks and saying yes to difficult
roles
(09:15)
Transitioning from CFO to CEO
(10:40)
Working with and aligning a board of
directors
(12:30)
Building trust and transparency with leadership
teams
(16:25)
Short-term discipline vs long-term thinking
(19:10)
Building culture through purpose and moments that
matter
(23:20)
Evolving workplace dynamics post-COVID
(31:00)
How AI is changing the way organizations
operate
(35:30)
Advice for the next generation of leaders
(41:50)
Final reflections on growth, leadership, and mentorship