Leadership in health care involves motivating and influencing discerning medical personnel in order to contribute to the effectiveness and success of medicine, patient care, and health care practices. Gina Temple underlines that teaching and stimulating creativity and innovation are also among the vital aspects of leadership in medical settings. Health care leadership typically refers to a variety of roles and responsibilities within the industry. To competently cater to their responsibilities, leaders in healthcare needs certain important skills.
Gina Temple discusses traits and skills that are necessary for effective leadership in healthcare
A healthcare leader is way more than just a management role. These leaders have to be visionaries who can inspire teams towards achieving common goals in delivering excellent patient care. Leaders in healthcare tend to possess a distinctive blend of qualities and skills that sets them apart in the dynamic and demanding field. Here are a few of those skills:
- Problem-solving skills: A leader who has good problem-solving skills is more likely to make rational decisions under pressure. Healthcare leaders would also have to maintain their composure during crises, and guide their team with a clear mind. Problem solving skills can help leaders to think in a creative manner, and make fast decisions in complex situations.
- Self-awareness: All healthcare professionals, regardless of their skill level, can always improve. Without constant reflection and introspection, however, they may not fully realize where their weaknesses may lie or how they can be addressed. By putting emphasis on self-awareness, leaders in healthcare can identify areas for improvement and subsequently make an effort to grow, both personally and professionally. Doing so should be a daily effort, with reflection integrated into every leader’s routine. Additionally, leaders should be open to receiving feedback from a diverse range of team members.
- Time management skills: Good time management skills are necessary for maintaining productivity and delivering quality patient care. A good leader would know exactly when to prioritize a certain task and when to delegate some responsibilities to a colleague, in case they have multiple urgent tasks at hand. The ability of a leader to manage their time in an efficient manner can significantly help a healthcare organization to reach its goals in an efficient manner. Healthcare leaders oversee large teams of professionals. By delegating effectively, they ensure that essential responsibilities are allocated fairly and in alignment with each worker’s skills and interests.
- Emotional intelligence: People with emotional intelligence have the capacity to recognize, understand, and respond to the emotions of other people in a constructive manner. Healthcare leaders with good levels of emotional intelligence are able to set the tone for their teams by seamlessly modelling empathy, improving communication, as well as de-escalating conflict. Empathy is non-negotiable in the healthcare industry. Its value is obvious in clinical settings, however, even the professionals who handle administrative and managerial functions should demonstrate compassion.
As per Gina Temple, to be a good leader in healthcare, one must try to one and develop a variety of skills. They need to be capable enough to manage conflicts between team members, respond to industry changes, adhere to patient safety guidelines, as well as maximize the financial performance of the healthcare facility.