What makes an effective leader in healthcare?
By: Stephen Hockey
August 21, 2020
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the healthcare leaders like never before. Effective leadership exists at the core of a successful healthcare system. In our second of a series of three articles on leadership in the current climate I was elated to discuss the qualities of a successful leader and to gain Insight Into the advice our current leaders have for future leaders. It was exciting to receive some interesting responses to the questions I had.
WHAT QUALITIES MAKE A GOOD AND EFFECTIVE LEADER IN THE HEALTH SECTOR AND HAVE THESE CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT PANDEMIC?
Elizabeth Koff, Secretary, NSW Health shared that command, control and capacity to operate in ambiguity make the effective components of a successful leader, while Chris McGowan, CEO, SA Health Services feels focus, hard work, and a fast response during emergencies make a successful leader. Effective communication is a very strong pillar of a successful healthcare system and Toby Hall, Group CEO, St Vincent’s Healthcare stated that communication should be tightly managed for clarity of vision and strategy. Further, team motivation, unity, and adaptability are important within an organisation according to Dr Ged Foley, CEO Sonic Clinical Services.
Annette Solman, Chief Executive, Health Education & Training Institute and Sean Smith, CEO, Mackay Rehab Hospital, Healthecare spoke about the diversity of inputs with a collective approach for complex problem-solving. It was interesting to hear from Dr Malak Sukkar, CEO, Private Health, who added that finding order in chaos, resilience, and ability to identify opportunities are also essential for a leader. Ben Edwards, CEO Murdoch & GM Mid-West Region, St John of God stressed on creating compelling visions and motivation, while Cris Massis, CEO, Advent Health also feels that embracing uncertainty and adopting an approach of transparency are vital for effective leadership. Carol Turnbull, CEO Adelaide Clinic, Ramsay Healthcare beautifully said “The recent pandemic may well have highlighted those who are good and effective leaders – even if they are not there in person” while focusing on communication, care and respect for effective leadership.
Nevertheless, leaders openly shared their experiences of operating during the COVID pandemic and how the crisis has brought the better out of them and their team.
WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO ANYONE SEEKING A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR?
Cris Massis, CEO, Advent Health quoted “Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Think differently and challenge the norm”, while Chris McGowan, CEO, SA Health Services said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” It was impressive to note that our leaders had very clear advice for anyone considering a career in healthcare leadership. Elizabeth Koff, Secretary, NSW Health and Carol Turnbull, CEO Adelaide Clinic, Ramsay Healthcare think that satisfaction and love for your jobs are essential to meet the challenges of a healthcare leadership position. Love for the carers, nurses, and doctors of your team and the ability to face a radical change will make a good leader according to Toby Hall, Group CEO, St Vincent’s Healthcare. Further, Dr Ged Foley, CEO Sonic Clinical Services feels that managing the structure of the organisation and cohesive collaboration are also prime qualities of a leader. Ability to focus on what is needed by the consumers today, instead of how things have been done so far would bring out a customised patient/consumer healthcare model according to Dr Sukkar.
Additionally, Annette Solman, Chief Executive, Health Education & Training institute had a bit of brilliant advice for future leaders. Understanding their strengths, nurturing their hidden potential, and applying for positions that not only aligns with their skills but also challenge them for the unknown will play key roles in determining the leadership potential of our future leaders. While, Ben Edwards, CEO Murdoch & GM Mid-West Region, St John of God feels that healthcare is an excellent and interesting sector, Sean Smith, CEO, Mackay Rehab Hospital, Healthecare highlighted the need of understanding the relationship between the key elements of clinical practice, business and management. Our anonymous leader who is an experienced CEO in a private hospital group feels that a good mentor is required for a good leader.
My interaction concluded by asking our healthcare experts about WHO they admire as leaders and which leadership qualities particularly inspired them. It was interesting to receive a list of famous names such as Barack Obama, Jacinda Arden, David Thodey, Angela Merkel, Florence Nightingale, Nelson Mandela, Robert Cooke, Chris Rex, Mary Aikenhead, Dana White, and several Nuns and Sisters from across the world. These leaders are admired for their ability to achieve reform, understanding the heartbeat of people, great communication, diplomacy, influence, vision, and on top of everything, humanity. Honestly, it occurred to me that they would be wonderful guests at a dinner party.
Finally, the thought of Ged Foley summed up my conversations with the healthcare leaders for the last few months very nicely: "Pay close attention to the welfare of your teams. Kindness and consideration go a very long way in these uncertain times".
Once again I am extremely thankful for all the leaders who contributed to this piece, their time and interest in contributing their views to our readers and I hope their insights will be beneficial for our aspiring healthcare leaders.