10 tips for succeeding as a physician leader

A best practice is to require an orientation for all leaders as they assume a leadership position. It is a mistake to assume that a physician, who previously held a leadership position, has the necessary understanding of what leadership is and means in your organization. The following 10 tips are useful for all leaders, but especially important for new leaders:

1. Read your bylaws, rules, and regulations.
2. Schedule a meeting to learn more about your new position with your:

• Vice president of medical affairs or chief medical officer
• Current or outgoing colleague who holds the position
• CEO or chief operating officer of the hospital
• MSP

3. Discuss your time overload (see position description for time requirement) with your:

• Spouse and family
• Practice partners
• Office staff
• Self (Make specific plans for rewarding yourself for sacrifices and professional commitments)

4. Find at least one supportive friend who will keep your confidences, provide counsel, be an empathetic listener, and give you occasional ideas.
5. Avoid colleagues who gossip, spread rumors, criticize, and snipe at you.
6. Always find out if information is confidential. If it is, keep it that way.
7. Identify your support staff throughout the organization—in the medical staff services department, administration, and your office—and learn to use and appreciate them.
8. Insist on leadership skill training programs as soon as possible for your leadership team and yourself.
9. Schedule time (at least 30 minutes a week) for self-learning, e-learning, books, and journals.
10. Identify community resources for your leadership development—a public library, community college, or university—and see if they have programs, relevant publications, or instructional materials.

Source: The Medical Executive Committee Manual