Leadership Lessons They Don't Teach in Medical School
Leadership Lessons They Don't Teach in Medical School
Politics isn’t a character flaw. It’s part of being human. In this second post of the series, we explore why even good, well-intentioned people get pulled into politics. It's not because they’re power-hungry, but because of psychology, scarcity, identity, and relationships. Understanding these forces is key to becoming an effective physician leader.
Most physicians hate politics. But politics shape every organization we work in. Whether we like it or not, influence, relationships, and alignment decide which ideas move forward. In this first post of a three-part series, we explore why avoiding politics doesn’t protect us.
Practical moves for leading where profit meets purpose: balance numbers with mission, name tradeoffs, use business tools to advance clinical goals, and keep the patient at the center. Part 2 of a two-part series on healthcare leadership.
Why medicine is not a “normal business,” and what every new leader must understand about information gaps, payment incentives, inelastic demand, barriers to entry, and ethics. Part 1 of a two-part series on healthcare leadership.
We grow up thinking communication is a soft skill. It’s not. It’s the skill that makes every other skill matter.
If leadership is about inspiring hope, communication is how we deliver it — through credibility, care, and clarity.
In a time when healthcare feels harder than ever, gratitude may seem like a luxury. But for those who lead, heal, and care, it’s a lifeline. This Thanksgiving reflection shares what doctors (and all who work in healthcare) still have to be thankful for. It ends with a tip on the practice of gratitude in healthcare.
Care is what makes hope human. Credibility earns trust. Clarity shows the way. But care ensures people feel seen, valued, and supported along the journey. Without it, leadership falls flat.
Vision sounds inspiring, but it’s clarity that actually moves people. Once leaders earn trust, teams want to know one thing: Where are we going next? Clarity turns vague mission statements into concrete steps, reduces confusion, and helps people see progress. In this post, I discuss why clarity matters more than vision for inspiring hope—and how leaders can practice it every day.