Leadership
How to Avoid Hiring a Narcissist: A Toxic Hire Will Hurt Your Team and Your Leadership Credibility
Narcissists threaten organizational culture with traits such as entitlement, grandiosity, lack of empathy, and behavior that prioritizes self-interest rather than team or patient outcomes. The culture of a medical practice rests on the ability of people to bring their expertise, commitment, and talent to work. This article is addressed to physician leaders who must ensure…
Read MoreThe Executive Brain
A neuroscience lens, using the CARB model of social motivators, helps leaders understand how they can create an environment in which people are able to do their best thinking. When the VP’s new responsibilities were announced, they didn’t match up with the agreement the VP had made with the CEO. When asked about the discrepancy,…
Read MoreUnleash The Instigator Within (When Your Team or Your Organizational Culture Needs a Shake Up)
My first grade teacher at Little Flower Catholic Grade School told me I was an instigator. I carried the ominous word home and pried the meaning out of my grandmother. Her explanation—a leader or troublemaker—was a relief. I was worried it meant an imminent prison sentence or a fast track to hell. The reflex of…
Read MoreWhy Leaders Must Embrace Resistance
You have an innovative idea that will streamline the work, double the margin, improve quality and eliminate the headaches. You got sponsorship, budget approval, and a project team. Today you are taking the plan out to your organization in a series of meetings. WAIT. What’s that noise? What are you hearing from colleagues? From those…
Read MorePhysicians Must Lead. Here’s Why
Some docs consistently say “no thanks” to formal leadership roles. They prefer not to run for a board position, become department chief, or step into an executive role because their passion and focus is patient care. This primary interest in the core work shows up in other professions, too. My brother, a mechanical engineer (I’d…
Read MoreHit A Plateau? Three Ways to Shift Gears and Get Moving
My coaching client, a senior director in healthcare, told me she was surprisingly preoccupied and disappointed after being passed over for a promotion. With her credentials, track record and high functioning team she thought she was poised for the VP role. Now her day-to-day work is less fulfilling and her enthusiasm for the organization has…
Read MoreCriteria For Leader Selection: Don’t veer off course when you pick your next leader
In this article, find out how three easy-to-detect characteristics can serve as a simple screen when selecting leaders. Determine if your leadership candidate is eligible for more in-depth interviews by initially assessing whether they have a track record of demonstrating respect, providing clarity, and holding themselves and others accountable. Elaborate interview guides and competency scoring…
Read MoreLeadership: No Place For Scaredy-Cats
Many of us turn into scaredy-cats and refuse to confront an employee or a colleague who is abrasive or even abusive. We delude ourselves with stories about the situation to justify why we don’t address the bad behavior “She’s the very BEST technically—but she sure doesn’t tolerate fools!” or “You can either be everyone’s friend…
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