It’s challenging enough dealing with the daily issues a big facility brings as a hospital administrator. However, keeping a team of physicians happy and helping them advance their own careers can be even more challenging. How can you be an effective leader when you’re stretched thin with other demands?
Fortunately, it’s the season to set new goals and improve both personally and professionally. Here are five leadership skills to cultivate over the next 12 months (and beyond):
Active listening
When you meet one on one with physicians and other health professionals in your facility, make an effort to fully listen to what they’re saying. Shut your laptop, put away your phone, and avoid looking at the clock or your watch.
Once you’ve removed distractions, make eye contact, nod your head and murmur agreement where appropriate. Sometimes you won’t be able to offer solutions, but simply listening and acknowledging a coworker’s feelings will go a long way.
Communication
One of the most important things you can do to inspire trust as a leader is communicate well. Send emails with important policy updates, let staff members know about budget cuts and possible staffing changes early, and make sure you have regular one-on-one meetings with all the physicians you oversee.
Figure out what the best way to communicate is with each employee so you can ensure they’re receiving all the information they need. However, you should also make yourself accessible so your staff can ask questions or talk with you frequently.
Communication includes recognition, too. Make sure you thank employees who do a good job and recognize them in a group setting as well.
Vision
The best leaders have a plan for helping the business grow and becoming more efficient — and then they articulate it. Your staff — including locum tenens physicians –will be on board with your goals for the year if you explain your ideas and have clear steps for achieving them. Break down quarterly goals into monthly tasks, if you have to, and ensure every member of the team understands his or her role.
Talking about the company’s mission statement and values frequently with your team is also important. Do your goals line up with the company’s mission? Do they help your physicians, nurses and technicians to grow professionally and strengthen the business? If not, it’s time to take a second look at your plans.
Inspiration
Think about the health professionals you work with every day. Do they seem passionate about their work and understand how their roles make a difference? It’s your job as a leader to help them be engaged at work and feel good about their careers. You’ll find you have much happier employees and can help physicians and nurses avoid burnout or get out of a professional rut.
Integrity
As the leader of a hospital, you need to walk the talk and set the example your staff members will follow. This means being honest and doing what you say you’ll do, whether that’s attending meetings, following up on employee or physician complaints, or working to change an outdated policy.
If you can’t finish a task you said you would, let your coworker or client know early and learn to “underpromise and overdeliver” so you don’t disappoint those you work with.
