Leadership in Medicine and Healthcare
Did your healthcare training include a formal curriculum in leadership?
If you’re like most healthcare professionals, the answer is likely no. But here's the truth—leadership isn't just a skill; it’s a critical part of our journey in healthcare. We may not have been formally taught it, but we've been learning it every step of the way.
In this article, our goal is simple: to help you grow your leadership abilities in an authentic, natural way, drawing inspiration from trailblazing members of our faculty who have become leaders in their fields.
Communication Strategies
Communication is key!
Before we dive into leadership strategies, let’s address something essential. Communication: It’s the foundation to everything we do as healthcare professionals. We are all about adding tools to your toolkit. The better we communicate, the better we lead.
We’re here to help you build your leadership toolkit, starting with a few simple strategies that will make you a more effective communicator, both in and out of the workplace.
ACTIVE LISTENING
This isn’t just about patients. This applies to everyone we interact with.
True leadership starts with listening. Being present, making eye contact, and using open body language are simple yet powerful tools for building meaningful relationships.
Asking questions is another way to show genuine interest, which in turn, builds trust and respect.
Transparency
Let’s rephrase our earlier statement: clear communication is key!
It’s essential that everyone—not just a few—understands the vision and their part in making it a reality. When everyone is aligned, working toward the same goal, that’s when true progress happens.
Feedback
We have all been there: the anxiety of receiving feedback. But here’s the thing—great leaders not only know how to give constructive feedback, but also know how to receive it.
Embracing feedback, both positive and constructive, makes you a stronger leader and helps your team grow. Keep the feedback loop open, accessible, and focused on progress.
Adapt Your Style
There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to leadership. As you continue to grow, you’ll discover a leadership style that resonates with you.
But remember, your team members will each have their own unique style. Learning how to adapt your style to fit theirs can work wonders. Just because you did something a certain way in the past does not mean you can’t change.
Setting Expectations
Be clear about your expectations—for yourself and for others.
When everyone knows what’s expected, it creates a sense of clarity and purpose. You’ll not only save time and reduce stress, but tracking progress will be so much easier.
Leadership Strategies: Find Your Authentic Approach
When it comes to leadership, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
The best leader is the one who feels most authentic to you. In reality, most of us embody a blend of different leadership styles—each one shaped by our unique experiences.
There’s no need to box yourself into a single category. Our leadership journeys are as varied as our lives, whether that’s overcoming challenges from childhood, forging an unconventional path to success, or becoming a trailblazer in your field.
Or perhaps your story is something entirely different. This is the beauty of our individuality.
We understand that the path to becoming the strong, passionate leader you are today has been a transformative one. Our goal is to equip you with the tools to align your strengths within the leadership mode. Because we know when you lean into your own leadership style, you show up as the most authentic version of you.
We know it can be helpful to see these leadership styles in action, so be sure to check out our Inspired Action sections throughout. There, you’ll find real-world examples of how these styles come to life.
Transformational Leadership
Core Values: Vision, innovation, collaboration
Do you find yourself question and changing the status quo? If so, you may be a transformational leader.
Transformational leaders’ style is rooted in vision and innovation. These leaders rely on their intuition to craft a compelling vision that inspires their teams to follow. They are big picture thinkers who use their emotional intelligence to guide teams through change, leading by example, and trusting the vision and the process.
Examples of ways to integrate this style of leadership include:
Pose problems to your team, encouraging them to come up with creative solutions
Create a shared vision to help the team work in unity towards a common goal
When mentoring new team members, show them how their roles contribute to the broader vision
“Two and a half years ago, I decided to start utilizing virtual assistants in our practice. My partner and office manager were not on board, they didn’t feel that a VA would be of benefit in an ophthalmology practice, which is very visual. I asked for just one month - and in that time I trained a pharmacist in the Philippines as a virtual scribe.
Once the mindset was shifted that all staff had to be in person, I was able to open others up to the idea that many tasks could be done remotely - from electronic prescribing of medications, prepping charts, writing referral letters based on my exam notes, faxing and even obtaining records from referring physicians.
After 6 months, she was so successful that I then charged her to hire 2 other VAs and train them and promoted her to “Head of Virtual Assistants”. She has weekly meetings with them and our clinic runs more smoothly and efficiently than ever.”
Servant Leadership
Core values: Compassion, empowerment, and humility
Do you find fulfillment in helping others achieve success? Or do you thrive when people turn to you for guidance and support?
If so, servant leadership might resonate with you. It’s about recognizing and prioritizing the needs of your team, and using that insight to help them reach their full potential. In doing so, you’re fostering creativity, encouraging continuous learning, and empowering growth, not just within individuals, but across the entire team.
Examples of ways to integrate this style of leadership include:
Offer personal development opportunities for your team members
Create systems for feedback for improvement about the work environment
Promote work life balance and creating wellness programs
A quick note on work life balance: We have all heard the phrase “put your oxygen mask on before you help others.”
When you really think about it, who wouldn’t want the pilot of the plane to put on their mask first? Remember that as a leader, you are the pilot. It’s essential that you make time for self care.
Taking care of yourself isn’t just important—it’s necessary. The better you care for yourself, the better you’ll be able to support and serve those who depend on you.
Take the example of a nurse practitioner who’s opening her own practice and hires a new graduate. She mentors the new nurse by giving her flexible study time and supporting her educational growth by mentoring—helping her thrive in both her career and personal life.
“As the Managing Partner and practice co-owner of my practice for 16 years, the most important thing I have done is invest in my staff. Even though we are a small practice - 4 doctors, 12 staff - I have made it a priority to discover the goals for each staff member and help them to achieve it. I don’t mind if an employee is with us for only 2-3 years because they plan on applying to medical school, in fact we relish those who want to grow. I enjoy mentoring them to achieve their aspirations because I know that that they will fully commit themselves for the time they are with us.
Two of my former staff have gone one to optometry school, one to medical school and one obtained her MPH. Writing those letters of recommendations and seeing them achieve their lifelong ambitions create a supportive environment in my practice so that others know we will support them similarly.
I also financially support our staff to obtain ophthalmology technician certifications, pay for them to attend conferences on the mainland (we’re in Hawaii) and invest in them with executive coaching. As a result, we have just celebrated our third staff member’s 10 year anniversary. In this day and age, where many bemoan rotating staff and this generation being unwilling to work, I have found that identifying those individuals with a strong work ethic and love of learning and investing in them, will always pay off in the long run.”
Situational Leadership
Core values: Flexibility, adaptability, responsiveness
Do you find yourself adapting to your team’s changing needs? Do you feel like a leadership chameleon, adjusting your approach based on the situation? If so, you may be a situational leader.
A situational leader is, like it sounds, one that adapts well to different situations.
Is morale low?
They may create wellness systems that mirror a servant leader.
Is there a new challenge ahead?
The situational leader may lead a transformation, taking the organization to new heights.
Examples of ways to integrate this style of leadership include:
Being hands-on with new staff members, while giving more autonomy to long-term team members
Provide regular feedback sessions that allow members to identify areas for growth
Stay flexible during large scale events, like expanding the practice, a new business structure, or adding staff.
“Over the last 16 years as a practice owner, we have weathered all sorts of challenges that require pivoting quickly but thoughtfully. We’ve managed through storms when there was no wi-fi to access our scheduling software, VOIP phones or EHR. We’ve seen patients during black outs and hurricanes.
Witnessing how my staff navigate these challenges really brings to the forefront the importance of hiring team players and investing in them as a leader. They are all driven by patient care and we have the same end goal in mind at all times. This is the kind of thing that can necessarily be taught - you have to hire the right people, onboard, coach, mentor and lead them and then see it all come together during a crisis.”
Thought Leadership
Core Values: Authenticity, Passion, Curiosity
Maybe you found this website through social media.
You may have come across Dr. Rupa Wong teaching about myopia management or Dr. Natalie Crawford advocating for access to fertility treatment. You might have found Dr. Pamela Mehta raising awareness about the experience of or discrimination against women in surgery, which led you here.
These are all examples of thought leadership.
In today’s digital age, thought leadership has emerged as a dynamic platform for leaders to share their expertise and insights. A thought leader is someone who not only excels in their field, but is willing and excited to share their experience. Whether it is through videos, podcasts, and speaking engagements. Another focus is on writing through blog posts, web articles, and social media posts, thought leaders make their voices heard.
Why does it matter?
Becoming a thought leader allows you to share your area of experience with a larger audience.
It allows you to expand your reach and influence, establishing yourself as an authority in your area of expertise. Being a thought leader also enhances the visibility of your personal or professional brand. Plus it allows you to give back to the community by sharing valuable knowledge, while also protecting the audience from the dangers of misinformation.
Strategies for Healthcare Professions
Now that you have a clearer understanding of your leadership style, you might be wondering how to elevate it to the next level.
While there is no need to fit your leadership style into a particular box, it is helpful to know what works for you. This self-awareness empowers you to better serve both yourself and those you lead.
Whether you're running your own practice or part of a larger healthcare organization, there are countless opportunities to refine your leadership skills and make an even greater impact.
Practice or Small Business Owner
If you are considering starting a practice or are already a practice owner, there are many ways you can lead your team to new heights.
Here are a few ideas to help you build a strong, engaged team:
Set a Clear Vision: Having a vision for your team is the first step to setting the tone. Recruit team members who align with your vision and can bring a fresh perspective. This collaborative approach will help build a culture where your vision can thrive.
Engage with Your Community: Step into a leadership role within your community by joining health outreach programs, serving on non-profit boards, or using social media as a platform for advocacy. By championing causes that reflect your practice’s mission, you'll strengthen relationships and deepen your impact within your community.
Empower Your Team: A great leader creates and environment where everyone can grow. Offer opportunities for growth through professional development, provide constructive feedback, and support a work-life balance.
“Owning a practice was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but the absolute best decision of my life.
Being able to be my own boss, care for patients the way I believe is right, set policy immediately in my practice without administrative oversight, dictate my own schedule, gives me autonomy that I could have never had in an employed position.
And that autonomy has lead to happiness and work life balance.”
Employee of Practice or Small Business
Are you an employee in a small business who wants to become more involved?
Here are some ways you can help your team grow by developing your leadership skills.
Take Initiative: Create or ask to be involved in new projects or initiatives. This not only challenges you to grow and expand your skill set but also demonstrates to your team that you’re fully invested in their success, and in your own development as a leader.
Invest in Professional Development: The more you learn, the more valuable you are to your team. Whether it’s mastering a new procedure, earning a certification, or gaining fresh insights from a conference, continual learning allows you to bring new skills and ideas that can help elevate your team’s performance.
Networking: Build deeper connections with your colleagues by understanding their strengths and areas for growth. Support them where you can, and expand your network beyond your immediate team. You can also network outside your job, which allows you to be exposed to new people and ideas your team may benefit from.
Employee in a Health System
Working in a healthcare system offers countless opportunities for leadership. There are both clinical and non-clinical opportunities you can join to take your leadership skills up a notch.
Examples include:
Become a clinical expert in your health system: this is a great way for a clinician to build their credibility and authority on a subject.
Join an Interdisciplinary Leadership Team: No matter what type of provider you are, there are opportunities to facilitate collaborations between others.
Get Involved in Quality Improvement: Dive into quality improvement initiatives within your system. These projects allow you to contribute to meaningful changes that can directly impact patient outcomes. Plus, these projects often involve collaboration with people across the organization, giving you a broader leadership role.
Mentorship: Mentoring is one of the most rewarding ways to build leadership skills. Sharing your experience and knowledge with younger or less experienced healthcare professionals can help shape the future of the industry, while also reminding you of the path you have traveled to get here.
