Rahul Anand MD

Introduction

Imagine a moment in your healthcare journey that crystallized the essence of leadership for you. Picture this: after more than a decade as a practicing physician, I stepped into the world of teaching at a medical school. What struck me was not just the transition but the stark revelation that awaited me. Our students were not just studying; they were submerged in an endless sea of flash cards, multiple choice questions, memorizing buzzwords and factoids like a ritual, their days a marathon with no finish line in sight. Lost was the art of self-care, the precious moments of connection with each other or reflection on what truly mattered — their aspirations, the lifelong bonds that form during medical training, and most of all the hope and belief that we can change the system for the better. We’ve become adept at hammering in the ‘what’ of medicine, ticking boxes until the next career milestone, but we’ve sidestepped the ‘why’ and, most critically, the ‘how’ that can transform our practice and systems from surviving to thriving. This epiphany wasn’t just about education; it was a mirror to the very essence of leadership in healthcare. It became my mission to not only teach medicine but to instill a sense of purposeful leadership that underscores every action and interaction— the kind that makes a lifelong difference.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the ‘what’ and lost sight of the ‘why’ in your healthcare journey? Whether you’re just beginning your journey in healthcare, within your first decade, or looking to intentionally develop or rebuild your leadership skills, this blog is for you. You belong in this community we are trying to build where we can learn and develop our leadership together! This blog is our collective space to explore the practical essence of leadership in healthcare — going beyond theory to discover how it can improve our lives and the lives of those we serve.

Defining Leadership in Our Terms

Leadership in healthcare isn’t really about titles or accolades; it’s about the positive impact we create. Traditionally, leadership, as defined by Peter Northouse, is “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal”. To us, leadership means making tangible improvements in our daily lives towards being our best selves, building exceptional relationships and teams, impacting health systems and belonging and contributing to communities.  So, let’s shift our focus from the abstract to the actionable — improving our lives and those around us.

A Framework for Leadership Development

Our exploration of leadership is structured around three interlocking domains:

• Self: At the core is the individual—’Being your best self personally and professionally.’ This domain is about not just professional and career development, but also self-care, personal growth, meaning and purpose, developing authentic leadership, and the pursuit of excellence. It is the inner compass that guides our actions and decisions, and upon which all other domains are built.
• Interpersonal and Teams: Encircling the self is our ability to build ‘Exceptional relationships and teams.’ This is where emotional intelligence meets collaborative teamwork, where we learn the subtle art of interpersonal dynamics and the empowering science of teaming.
• Systems: Encompassing all is our awareness of and engagement with ‘Systems’—understanding, influencing, and evolving the complex adaptive systems within which healthcare operates. It also involves ‘Belonging to and building communities’ that foster learning and practice, creating ecosystems that support and amplify our leadership efforts and ensure we are not lonely or on the road to burnout when leading in a system resistant to change.

Our Manifesto for the Future

Each post hereafter will connect to one of these domains, diving into topics and competencies crucial for leadership development. Together, we will explore the nuts and bolts of personal and professional development, building our identities as good leaders and followers, interpersonal mindfulness, communication strategies, effective team skills, and systemic change initiatives — all through the unique lens of where we stand in healthcare. Expect a post each month, and sometimes more, as we move forward. 

Conclusion

Our leadership journey is more than a series of articles; it is a call to action for all healthcare professionals to embrace leadership’s potential to improve our own and the lives of others. Join me on this journey, and let’s pave new paths in redefining the very meaning of leading in healthcare.

Your next steps: What is one leadership quality you want to develop? What topics would you like us to cover in future posts? Share your thoughts, and let’s start the conversation.