Unlocking Potential in People and Places

Ken sits down with Clayton Mitchell—SVP of Corporate Real Estate at Yale New Haven Health System and former U.S. Navy Civil Engineer—for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mentorship, and building systems that endure.

With a career spanning military bases, healthcare systems, and Capitol Hill, Mitchell brings a unique systems-thinking approach to real estate and leadership. In this episode, he shares how institutions can unlock potential in both people and places—by combining clear vision, disciplined planning, and a culture of mentorship.

This conversation explores what it means to lead with purpose, why sustainable change takes more than capital investment, and how to design real estate strategies that serve both mission and community. Whether he’s building hospitals or coaching the next generation of leaders, Mitchell’s message is clear: leadership is about empowering others, not holding onto power.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

From Navy Bases to Hospital Campuses
Mitchell reflects on his 25-year military career—including projects across Japan, Italy, and Capitol Hill—and how that foundation prepared him to transform healthcare real estate systems.

The Power of Mentorship
From being mentored early in the Navy to becoming a coach himself, Mitchell shares why mentorship is essential to building confident, capable teams—and how organizations can create cultures that foster growth.

Systems Over Silos
With his background in industrial engineering, Mitchell explains how a systems mindset helps leaders tackle complexity, drive sustainable change, and avoid blaming individuals for structural failures.

Culture as a Force Multiplier
True leadership, Mitchell argues, is about sharing power—not hoarding it. He makes the case for building cultures that are empowered, aligned, and mission-driven.

Mental Health, Balance, and Servant Leadership
In a refreshing take on leadership, Mitchell shares how prioritizing wellbeing and modeling balance creates stronger teams and healthier organizations.

Why This Conversation Matters:

Clayton Mitchell offers rare insight into what happens when leadership, infrastructure, and mission truly align. His dual experience in the military and healthcare gives him a grounded, systems-level perspective on what it takes to lead lasting change—especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments.

“You don’t have to change the world—just your little slice of it. That’s where leadership begins.”

Whether you’re a team leader, a real estate executive, or someone interested in how mentorship and mission shape great organizations, this episode is essential listening.