The Power of Encouragement

physician coach

From Your Physician Coach
The Power of Encouragement

As a physician coach and practicing physician, I can assure you that of us crave encouragement. Whether we are just starting to walk as a toddler, or accepting a new position as a company CEO, our success can be enhanced by a word of encouragement. In the healthcare provider world, young physicians work their way through college, medical school, residency, and fellowship before they ever have what most would call a “real job.” Along this 13-15 year journey encouragement can be life-giving in an otherwise grueling schedule.

A few years ago, I was the staff physician assigned to cover the cardiology consult service at a large academic medical center. A second-year internal medicine resident from a neighboring community hospital happened to be doing an elective with us that week. He was theoretically less well trained than some of the other residents and fellows on service, but as a physician coach, I admired his enthusiasm, thirst for learning, and independent study efforts that far exceeded any of the others. Because of his demonstrated competence, I offered for him to write a review paper on a new technique with me. He eagerly accepted and one week later presented me with a 30-page manuscript complete with 180 references! Later, I encouraged him to apply for a cardiology fellowship and ultimately an interventional cardiology fellowship. One week of rounding with him and several weeks of encouragement finishing the manuscript profoundly impacted his career trajectory. As expected, he excelled in these advanced positions.

Physician Coaching Includes Encouragement

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with a first-year cardiology fellow doing heart catheterizations. Despite it being only his third day on the rotation, it was clear he was naturally gifted and had an excellent fund of practical knowledge. I encouraged him to assist in ways that typical fellows can’t perform until their third year of training. He rose to each challenge. At the end of only three days with him, I told him how impressed I was with his performance and encouraged him to strongly consider pursuing a career in interventional cardiology. His full story has yet to be written, but I believe encouragement from a senior colleague will make a difference for him. Remember, you don’t have to be vastly more senior to make an impact. You only need to be a few steps further along the path to encourage those walking with you. Leadership is not a title; it is the ability to act in a way that inspires others to follow you or your example.

For whom can you make a difference today? A fundamental leadership principle is to encourage and support those in your sphere who desire to grow and advance. Don’t underestimate the influence you can have! Be on the lookout today for someone to encourage. You won’t regret it!

Professional Physician Coaching

Just like everyone craving encouragement, all of us can benefit from professional coaching to sharpen our skill sets and grow as leaders.  Learn more about the growth opportunities Hodgson Leadership Solutions offers for medical providers.  Visit the Healthcare Coaching page.  You can download the complimentary white paper on the benefits of healthcare coaching.

Stay Connected with Hodgson Leadership Solutions

We publish a monthly newsletter with informative and helpful research and insights for healthcare professionals.  I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter HERE.

Additionally, our social media channels offer more frequent, easily digestible insights and strategies to equip yourself as a healthcare leader.  Connect on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

You don't Have to Burn Out, Stay Stuck in Conflict, or compromise your values. Revitalize Yourself and Your Team. We Have the Prescription.
Request a free consultation
Phone: (440) 903-6666
Email: info@hodgsonleadershipsolutions.com

Address: P.O. Box 23547
Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

(c) 2022, Dr. John Mc.B. Hodgson

Website Design by Elevate Marketing LLC

Healthcare Coaching to Success

health care coaching, quality improvement in healthcare

Health Care Coaching to Success

Many are confused about healthcare coaching. Confusion about what it really is limits those who seek it out. Let me help clarify. Coaching, counseling, mentoring, and apprenticeship, among others, all refer to ways a leader can seek assistance in their desire to grow personally and improve their performance.

An apprenticeship involves working directly with another more experienced in the skill you wish to improve. For example, if I want to become good at laying bricks, I could apprentice with an experienced mason and they could teach me the specific skills and knowledge necessary. A mentoring relationship typically involves a more senior leader who agrees to assist a less senior leader in improving a specific skill. If I am already a skilled interventional cardiologist but have not yet learned how to implant artificial valves, I could team with a mentor who could oversee my progress and offer support or resources. If we enter a counseling relationship there is typically a personal character or performance issue that needs work. In these relationships, the counselor is driving the sessions and probing to uncover and address underlying root causes. This could involve psychotherapy, group sessions, medication, or just personal introspection.

In contrast to all of these other relationships, a healthcare coaching relationship is driven by the person being coached. The “coachee” sets the agenda and defines the goal they would like to achieve. The coach is there to assist in understanding, clarifying, and brainstorming. Importantly, they encourage and set goals. The coachee does the actual work, not the coach. It is not counseling. It is a means of assisting you to uncover and realize the potential you already possess. It is also typically limited in time and scope. Here is an example from a coaching relationship I had a few years ago. A colleague desiring to advance their career and I coached them through the possibilities which included trying to stay where they were, seeking alternative employment locally, or moving to seek opportunities in another part of the country. I did not decide for them; I merely helped them process the information and clarify their true desires.

Explore Healthcare Coaching to Advance Leadership Goals

I encourage you to explore healthcare coaching as a means of advancing your leadership goals. There is no stigma attached. The cost is well worth it. You will feel empowered and refreshed!

Learn more about the growth opportunities Hodgson Leadership Solutions offers for medical providers.  Visit the Healthcare Coaching page.  You can download the complimentary white paper on the benefits of healthcare coaching.

Stay Connected with Hodgson Leadership Solutions

We publish a monthly newsletter with informative and helpful research and insights for healthcare professionals.  I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter HERE.

Additionally, our social media channels offer more frequent, easily digestible insights and strategies to equip yourself as a healthcare leader.  Connect on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Physician Leadership – Culture Always Wins

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Physician Leadership Insights:
Culture Always Wins

In my physician leadership roles, I have observed that the same job practiced in two different locations can be invigorating at one and demoralizing at the other.  How is this possible? Culture.

Just like me, I’m sure you have experienced different workplace cultures. Some are inviting and empowering. Some you serving in physician leadership roles just can’t wait to get out of unhealthy environments. Bad culture will always move employees to a less functional state of performance. Good culture can take even poorly trained employees and spur them to excel. Culture is hard to define. But the saying that “you know it when you see it” holds true here. It is palpable when you walk in. The longer you stay, the more obvious it becomes, either good or bad. Changing culture is hard. It takes time. It requires tough choices and it almost always has to start at the top and filter down. A bad manager or director will “poison” everyone who works for them. A good manager will ruffle some feathers, but in the long run culture will slowly improve.

Physician Leadership is More Than Tenure

I recently observed this transition in an intensive care unit at a community hospital. The culture had become lackadaisical and there was a resistance to change or new challenges. Physician leadership positions were largely assigned by who had been there the longest, not by demonstrated skills. A new director who had been successful in another unit was assigned to improve the culture. They hired a new unit manager from outside the fold and who had prior experience at institutions with higher performance standards. After a few weeks of observation and exploration, the new manager did what needed to be done. They fired some of the worst performing staff, despite their longevity. Leadership positions were reassigned to staff with demonstrated desire to improve and learn. Of course, “drama” ensued! I listened from afar to the many comments about how this wasn’t fair, how it wouldn’t work, etc, etc. The culture was being reset. Expectations were being re-written and the staff understood it was for real.

Physician leadership sets the culture. It is not always popular, but if you want a culture that supports the mission of your organization and empowers employees to succeed, it is critically important. Assess your situation, then address the cultural deficiencies you observe. You will be glad you did (after the drama subsides!)

Professional Physician Leadership Coaching

All of us can benefit from professional physician leadership coaching to sharpen our skill sets and grow as leaders.  Learn more about the growth opportunities Hodgson Leadership Solutions offers for medical providers.  Visit the Healthcare Coaching page.  You can download the complimentary white paper on the benefits of healthcare coaching.

Stay Connected with Hodgson Leadership Solutions

We publish a monthly newsletter with informative and helpful research and insights for healthcare professionals.  I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter HERE.

Additionally, our social media channels offer more frequent, easily digestible insights and strategies to equip yourself as a healthcare leader.  Connect on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

You don't Have to Burn Out, Stay Stuck in Conflict, or compromise your values. Revitalize Yourself and Your Team. We Have the Prescription.
Request a free consultation
Phone: (440) 903-6666
Email: info@hodgsonleadershipsolutions.com

Address: P.O. Box 23547
Chagrin Falls, OH  44022

(c) 2022, Dr. John Mc.B. Hodgson

Website Design by Elevate Marketing LLC