Thrivent CEO Terry Rasmussen: Everything I need to know about business I learned from cleaning people’s teeth
Today, I lead a Fortune 500 financial services company with more than 2 million clients. Over the course of a 40-year career, I’ve had the chance to help guide organizations through periods of growth and transformation. What’s striking to me is how many of the most important lessons I learned didn’t come later in life. They came during my very first job as a dental hygienist at a practice in West…
Terry Rasmussen, the CEO of a Fortune 500 financial services company, reflects on the valuable lessons he learned during his first job as a dental hygienist. Despite not initially seeing it as a stepping stone to his career, this experience taught him the importance of building trust, demonstrating discipline, and embracing continuous learning.
Rasmussen realized early on that his technical skills alone were insufficient without establishing trust with his patients. He remembers a patient named Edward, who was terrified of dental cleanings. To help Edward feel comfortable, Rasmussen recognized the necessity of slowing down, listening to his concerns, and taking the time to put him at ease. This lesson has remained with him throughout his career, emphasizing that expertise alone is not enough if people do not trust you.
The job also instilled in Rasmussen a strong sense of discipline. Dental hygiene is a meticulous profession where rushing or skipping steps could have dire consequences. He learned that consistency and adhering to commitments build trust over time, a principle that has been vital in his subsequent roles.
Additionally, Rasmussen discovered a passion for learning during his time as a dental hygienist. He recognized that even while pursuing his career, he was already contemplating his future and exploring new opportunities. This curiosity led him to further education in accounting and law, eventually guiding him into leadership positions he had not initially envisioned.
Reflecting on his journey, Rasmussen acknowledges that at the time, these experiences did not seem to connect in a linear fashion. However, looking back, he recognizes how each skill and mindset developed during his early career laid the foundation for his success in the business world. For Rasmussen, the lessons from his first job as a dental hygienist are timeless and have remained more significant than any other guidance he has received.
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