Pearls for leaders
Every once in a while, I read a book that has concise “pearls” that I find both practical and useful. One such a book is Leading Others, Managing Yourself by Peter McGinn (Health Administration Press, 2005). McGinn is a former clinical psychologist, who, following consulting engagements with United Health Services, eventually became a vice president for human resources and CEO with that same organization. He distills 25 years of leadership experience into 10 “laws.” I’d like to share with you my interpretation of these laws given the challenges healthcare leaders face today.
Law #1: Do the right thing
Probably the most important trait of any leader is the desire to serve and to lead. In this tension lies a moral dilemma: Who should a leader serve when self-interest and constituents’ interests are at odds? When push comes to shove, constituents’s needs come first. This is painful because it means overcoming our natural instinct for self-preservation, but it is enriching because it can help us to grow in ways we never thought possible.
Law #2: There is no right way
I recently led a task force made up of frustrated, angry physicians who were not buying my suggestions for improvement. I tried to make my suggestions more palatable, but they would not budge. I came back several days later with an approach that was not in the original plan but was more to the medical staff’s liking. Sometimes you have to walk a few feet down the unbeaten path in order to find the better way.
Law #3: Leadership is an action, not a title
Our legacy as leaders is determined not by what we think or say, but rather by what we do. No one will remember our intentions. Instead, we leave behind the result of our actions and what those actions mean to others.
Law #4: Ready…aim…fire
As leaders, we often spend so much time putting out fires others have started that we seldom give ourselves the luxury to make change happen in a thoughtful and reflective manner. Instead of reacting to physicians’ threats surrounding ED call, how about creating a proactive plan to address ED call before it becomes a hot political issue? It is far more fun to create the future our way than to get burned in someone else’s fire.
Law #5: If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it
We’ve all heard the saying, “If you can’t define it, you can’t measure it. If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it. And if you can’t manage it, you can’t improve it.” As physician leaders, we expect our colleagues to adhere to our performance expectations, but we fail to adequately define these expectations or provide feedback. This is neither fair nor practical. Provide people with carefully crafted, defined, and measurable goals, and you’ll see marked improvement.
Law #6: If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is not necessary
It’s nice to have everyone agree with your point of view. The problem is, nothing will happen! As physicians, we struggle with the notion that an “army of one” works beautifully for a critically ill patient who requires decisive action. However, when dealing with complex, chronic leadership issues, teams of diverse individuals with contradictory points of view will often get us where we want to go faster and with far less conflict.
Law #7: If you are coasting, you are going downhill
So many leaders and clinicians feel that they have worked hard to get to the top and want to coast for the rest of their career. Unfortunately, this comes with a price. I have known highly respected surgeons who decided to “coast out” their careers by not taking on new challenges. They became increasingly less influential in their colleagues eyes. If we want to stay a vital part of a leadership team, we need to commit to personal and professional growth.
Law #8: One-dimensional thinking is always superficial
Which is more important, cost or quality? The clinical diagnosis or the service diagnosis? Our long term or short term goals? There is no one correct answer. When pondering complex issues, it is helpful to see the issue from multiple perspectives to arrive not at a solution, but at a balance that must be monitored and modified over time.
Law #9: If everyone is doing it, either it is the wrong thing or it is too late
Sometimes the majority doesn’t know what’s right; only what is popular. Leadership requires a vision to create a future that is unique, important, and relevant to others. Trust your instincts as a leader; you have all of the raw ingredients you need to succeed. Your job is to refine them over time.
Law #10: Stop and smell the roses
Leadership is a marathon, not a short term sprint. It takes years to reach our potential as leaders. Between intense efforts to enact change, we must recharge ourselves so we can make the long journey. Most of what I have learned as a leader comes from reflection when I am in the mountains (my personal passion). In the solitude of the mountains, I can put together pieces that I could not perceive in the heat of the race. This provides not only the energy, but also the motivation to continue on the journey.
I hope that you have found these “pearls” as useful as I have. I wish you safe and fulfilling leadership journeys of your own. Your colleagues and your organization owes you a great debt for the commitment you continue to make.
All the best,
Jon Burroughs, MD, MBA, CMSL
Senior Consultant,
The Greeley Company