the Care in the Rx
Health care leaders have the enormous task of making difficult decisions during these times of constant change. Drastic reduction of resources, the competition for healthcare workers, the evolution of AI, and the assault on medical research for evidence-based treatments are just some of the situations leaders face today. It is no wonder that leaders must focus all of their energies on strategic planning tools, organizational structural changes, and innovative funding streams so that they can deliver on their mission. While no one can question these strategies and the need for immediate action and focus, it is imperative to maintain a caring organizational culture of engagement, support, and respect in order to succeed in our challenging times.
There are 2 very different examples of leadership where the Care is as important as leadership skills…
On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills came close to winning their division title but were defeated in a very close game. In the post-game press conference, their quarterback, Josh Allen, stood at the podium unable to speak as he was filled with emotion. When he was able to find his words, he said, “It is extremely difficult, I feel like I let my teammates down tonight”. No excuses about the loss, no blame for questionable play calls, just true emotion for his team members. Wow! Imagine situations where leaders in our organizations were able to be vulnerable, to recognize the pain and hurt when making needed strategic decisions like the elimination of jobs or merging departments due to external factors. Would those who lost their jobs feel any better… maybe? Would staff left behind to continue to work with leaders feel any better... maybe? However, a culture built by leaders who are honest and vulnerable develops trust and accountability as a strong foundation that can weather future storms.
The other example of the Care in the Rx comes as we celebrate the annual day remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King. Like so many of our historic leaders, Martin Luther King had to lead during some of the most difficult times in our country while he fought against injustice and for equality for all people. He exemplified resiliency and courage through his fight against injustice no matter the cost to him. Imagine situations where our leaders in our organizations made the difficult strategic decisions in challenging times while demonstrating their vulnerability and difficult choices to the people whose lives they touched. In one of his many memorable speeches, Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of control and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy”.
Even though these leaders had very different challenges, their ability to be honest, vulnerable, and caring for the concern of others demonstrated true leadership.
Thanks for listening.
Laura
You can connect with me on LinkedIn for more.
