Lately I have been reading other blog spots on the Society of Hospital Medicine website. You do not need to be a member to read the blogs, by the way and it is interesting to read blogs authored by physicians. I focused on the leadership threads. What do physicians think leadership is? I ask myself especially this week with a new President inaugurated and if you are in any leadership position you can't help but hold up a mirror and take a glance.
What is your definition of leadership? I know...it sounds like an icebreaker at a conference, but this is a blog-you're safe. And, perfect time to answer the question this week. Is it making sure there is enough snacks in the office? Is it having that difficult dialogue with an employee-knowing it will make the practice and that employee stronger in the long run? Is it biting your tongue and taking the high road when you are put in difficult situations even though you really want to let that person knowyou weren't born on the 8th floor yesterday?
The truth is, if you are involved with managing a hospitalist practice, your leadership skills are tested in ways that your colleagues aren't (and vice versa, so don't throw the rotten fruit at me yet). We don't always see our physicians or our lead physician, President of the group, etc. every day or for a week. At these times, we confer with ourselves (I talk to the Dea-Puppet, myself) and hope to make decisions as if I were an owner but without taking too much ownership to promote an un-reality.
Ok, so here is my definition of leadership and make sure you hit that "comment" button to share yours.
~I believe leadership is listening as long as it takes for the other to be heard-sometimes it takes hours, at other times it is just a look. If I listen-I might understand; and I can make decisions with insight.
~I believe leadership is looking ahead in all aspects of the business to be efficient and to make the time the physicians are working and on call run as smooth as possible.
~I believe leadership requires being unpopular a lot of the time.
~I believe leadership requires excellence from myself and humility at all times.
~I believe leadership can be addictive because when you get it right-you know it even when others don't see it.