What it Takes to be a Successful Manager in Healthcare Workshop
On May 12th, BYHP hosted its, âWhat is Takes to be a Successful Manager in Healthcareâ Workshop. Nance Goldstein, leadership coach and expert, interviewed Carla Fogaren from Steward Health Care and Melissa Joseph from Massachusetts General Hospital about their experiences as managers in todayâs healthcare industry. Below are some take-aways from the event.
Itâs a V.U.C.A. world! Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. Healthcare is traumatized: providers must suddenly deliver value, not volume, and put patients first. Change is on everyoneâs playlist. And these are uncharted: they demand new thinking and strategies.
Managers are the people who really make change happen. And most fail because itâs complicated!
Six suitcases manager-leaders need so they can pull out what they need for ever-new VUCA challenges:
1. Prepare yourself to lead.
Manager-leaders need to understand their own strengths, attitudes and leadership needs, to manage their behaviors, and to plan their development. Assessment, training, coaching and stretch opportunities prepare you for the new challenges and possibilities.
2. Play to everyoneâs strength
Find out what people do well then enable them to do more of it. Especially during periods of change, many fear they won't have whatâs needed for the new regime. Appreciate their value and the contributions they make. Help them feel they belong to the new future. Then help them value what others bring. This enables all of you to create essential relationships and partnerships on a basis of respect and contribution: those many perspectives will generate more ideas and faster progress.
3. Create the vision for your world
Managers at all levels need a vision of their own role, their networks, and their units. Then they must communicate that vision to their staff and ensure they see their role in it and commit to it. Keep that line of sight â daily conversations, decision and activities of you and your staff aim toward that better future.
4. Create breakthrough opportunities for your colleagues, patients, customers and organizations
Identify a few vital breakthroughs that can deliver big results. Then go for one of them. Starting small and making easy wins can build momentum and energy, a great foundation to build on. Show your people the value of experimenting (risking failure!), continuous learning and reflection, then make those possible for them. Begin modestly to make easy wins â thatâs energizes everyone!
5. Become a master of influence and motivationâŚ
Because how else can you convince busy people who do not report to you to do the work you want from them? They may be on your team or network, but you donât decide their pay or their promotions.
A motivator shows people what's in it for them and finds ways for them to bring their best selves - energy, time, and capabilities â to the project and what is often additional work. Bring curiosity, flexibility, humor and respectful conversation to work every day.
6. Mobilize people and resources
You frame issues so that everyone sees the opportunities and understands the next steps. Innovation work requires working across many boundaries â That requires attention to bringing people together purposefully and cooperatively. You create conversations and tasks for people to gain the trust that's essential to change. Find and sit at every table that offers resources for your projects and people. You're always removing obstacles and planning next stepsâŚLike an orchestra conductor!
âIf you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.â African proverb
You are not in this alone! Create a âboard of advisorsâ to help you do this complicated work well â people from all areas of your life. Explore new ideas and challenges with them. Get a coach â a partner to help you through difficult moments and stay the courseâŚand to be far better and bigger than you can imagine. For free resources for getting leadership-ready for VUCA situations, contact Nance at [email protected] or www.WorkingWiselyGroup.com.









