Redefining Leadership in Medicine: Create a Culture That Heals Everyone

A well-run medical practice is one that takes great care of the patients while being efficient. Everyone works well together as a team. Yes, some people work better with certain people. The goal is to work smarter and to utilize and maximize your resources.

It is important to set some goals for your medical practice. It does not matter if you own a private practice or if you are an employed physician. Be clear on the purpose of your work. For me, it is to take good care of my patients and leave work on time. I work very hard, and I do not need to work harder. As a physician, you are the leader of your medical team – nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical assistants, etc. You get to set the tone of the working environment.

To increase efficiency, it is best to incorporate and enhance teamwork. It is also important to ensure the well-being of each team member. Communication is vital to the well-being of a team. I am intentional about it. I always encourage my team to speak up, to ask questions if they are not sure, to question with curiosity if something does not seem right. I am human too, and I am not perfect. By promoting staff members to question without judgment, people will be more willing to speak up. Major mistakes will be minimized.

To enhance communication, it is essential to promote the well-being of your staff members. Decide that you desire your workplace to be supportive and nurturing. Promote the practice of gratitude that it becomes second nature. Focus on what you appreciate about each staff member. What are their strengths? Treat them as human beings. Treat them with kindness. Give your staff the permission to be vulnerable. Offer room for imperfection. By the same token, offer room for improvement. Show up as yourself. You can be a leader and be kind. You do not have to lead with an attitude. When you put the focus on serving others the best way you can, it is easy to see that the well-being of your staff members is essential.

Promote a culture of lifting up one another. You and your staff get to grow together to become a better version of yourselves. When you create a safe place for everyone to be themselves, instead of working to please others, you create an environment of collaboration rather than competition. You are operating in the energy of abundance rather than scarcity. When you are better, patients get better (and more efficient) care. Everyone wins. And why not?

The permission to be vulnerable, to serve and to lift the other person up – all enhance learning. You are more open to learning new things. You are more likely to be light-hearted and willing to try new things and take action. This is how you grow. This is how you become more flexible. This is how to find ways to be more efficient, as an individual and as a team.

We are meant to live and work together as human beings. It is not by chance that you get to work with your staff members. You get to decide how you show up to work – this influences how others show up in the workplace. Remember what your goal is – how you want to serve your patients and how efficient you want to be. Create a safe space for your team members, so that they feel supported and appreciated. Promote open communication, curiosity without judgment. Efficiency starts with an individual’s well-being. Efficiency is amplified with teamwork. Be intentional to ensure the well-being of your staff. Lift them up. Allow them to learn, grow, be flexible to become better versions of themselves.