Many people grow up with a perception that leading is telling other people what to do.
However, as time and experience advance, wisdom begins to reveal herself. The truth is, the best leaders don’t tell, they show and they know that leading is really about serving. They exhibit behaviors that demonstrate their ability to excel. It starts with the people and resources you are stewarding for your organization and it ends with your customer – or in the case of most healthcare leaders - your community. Taking care of the former will result in taking care of the latter. And here’s the surprise: You don’t need a single direct report to exhibit leadership.
When I think of this topic, I reflect upon a conversation I had with a staff member several years ago. He was frustrated and disappointed by some of our senior leadership’s behaviors. Although I agreed with him, my advice was to not let someone else’s poor behaviors be an excuse for what to do. “Be the CEO of you,” I told him. Exhibit the signs of leadership today and it will get noticed, not just by executives but throughout the organization.
Here are my thoughts on what I call leadership superpowers – to be stronger, more innovative, and effective leaders. These are the traits that I advise the next generation of leaders to start exhibiting today:
• Magnetism – Build communities at work, not factions. It's vital to go for the connection among colleagues instead of playing into internal politics and disagreements. Don’t let anyone minimize the ability to connect because it’s super-powerful. The higher you go, the more the ability to work with and through others truly matters.
• Priority-making – Finding a balance between work and home is never easy, but we have to be better at work-life prioritization. Evaluate if you are spending time in the right place and on the right work, and be “all-in” when focusing on a work or home responsibility. Getting work done and making time for a school performance or soccer game is important for mental health and provides others on the team permission to do the same. We must all make conscientious deposits in all the bank accounts: work, partner, children, and self.
• Sponsorship-building -. Mentors dole out advice, but sponsors advocate for others and help them navigate complex environments. If you’re rising through the ranks, get a sponsor, or if you’re in a position of leadership, become one. Sponsors can become lifelong peers and confidants.
• Purposeful and Values-Enforcing – You will do your best when you work for a company that provides you with purposeful work that is aligned with your values. And when you find that job, work hard to keep those values alive. Set an example by being the pathfinder guided by values –it’s what makes all the difference.
• Shapeshifting – Our roles and our lives are complex. You must know when to be the boss and when to be the partner or the follower, the spouse, son or daughter, or friend. Learn to pivot naturally as the needs of the situation require.
• Diversity-championing - Diversity brings strength to a team and better addresses the needs of a community. Take a look at your department function, management team, and even your board. Do you have the blend of culture, thought, and skills? Speak up when the next time an opening becomes available and embrace diversity.
• Serving others – I can’t emphasize this one enough. Leaders often work behind the scenes, focusing primarily on the growth and well-being of their people and communities. While traditional leaders want to be at the top of the heap, servant leaders put the needs of others first and help them develop and perform well. And lastly, even if you’re rising quickly in an organization, don’t fall in love with your position or title. Honor your teams and colleagues instead. Take care of your people and they will take care of you.
Let’s make this the year we power up and empower others. The future of health care leadership should and will look different than in the past, and 2019 is a good year to foster significant change. Become the leader you would admire and the one you would like to follow.