Think about your favorite sports team.

Do you ever see players coaching themselves during a game? Let’s take baseball, for example. Each team has a manager, as well as coaches for every position and aspect of the game. Athletes are coached to perform at their highest level to win games and lead their teams to
championships. Winning the World Series doesn’t just happen. It takes methodology, strategy, practice, teamwork and elite-level performance throughout the season. The players and leadership of each franchise must work together toward the common goal.

While your hospital isn’t playing to win the World Series, the same rules apply regarding performance. In fact, the stakes are much higher because in addition to functioning as a business, hospitals are primarily responsible for saving lives. Unlike baseball, you don’t get
another chance to swing the bat once a life is gone. That’s why leadership development and performance measurement are important. It’s not enough to show up. The bare minimum won’t
cut it. Improving patient care outcomes requires that everyone on your team goes above and beyond. If you’re wondering how to change your workplace and team dynamics, it’s a sign that you’re passionate about the kind of work that you do.

I’m a firm believer that the culture and attitude of any organization is determined by its leadership. Members of hospital leadership are often housed in clandestine areas where most clinicians don’t have access. As the leader of your unit, it behooves you to lead cross-functionally in an ethical manner and bring the knowledge that you’ve gained from your direct reports back to hospital management when decisions are made. This demonstrates to your
direct reports that you’re not just there to please the executives in the C-suite. As a leader, you’re accountable to many key stakeholders. However, it’s possible to lead with integrity and serve clinicians at each level of the organization, as well.

How can you improve your leadership performance?

First, take a moment to reflect on your why. Why are you in leadership? If it’s for a higher salary, you’re better off finding an individual contributor position that pays better. Health care leadership
isn’t for fair-weathered or self-serving individuals. You must have enough self-awareness to
know what you hope to accomplish in your role and how that relates to patient care.

Next, decide if you want to pursue management or leadership. They aren’t the same. Management is more task-oriented while leadership is more people-oriented. As a leader, your performance sets the tone for your team.

If you’re unsure where to begin, that’s where my expertise comes in. The Impactful Leader™
shows new and existing leaders how to successfully lead a team of professionals to meet divisional, as well as organizational goals. My goal is to see your organization promote, develop, and retain clinicians who perform at the highest level of their licensure.

Let’s begin the conversation today! Book a discovery call to get started.