Polotsky H., Williams L. Physician Leader: How Exam Room Experience Drives Leadership Excellence

Productivity Press, 2024. — 293 p.Physicians are often asked to lead healthcare teams, departments, divisions, practices, and hospitals. Though many of them are experts in their fields, they are rarely prepared or educated in business management and leadership. Based on the authors’ interviews with many physician and non-physician executives and leaders, medical training contributes little to leadership skills. Many physicians leave medical training with a command-and-control leadership style that later has to be unlearned to succeed in a team-based healthcare environment.
This book will help physician leaders to shed derailers and authoritarian leadership tendencies picked up in years of medical training. It is intended for (1) physicians who are transitioning to healthcare leadership roles, (2) senior-level physician and non-physician leaders as a coaching model to develop their physician leader direct reports, and (3) administrative leaders who are partnering with physician leaders.
Both authors progressed from mid-level leadership roles to the C-suite, one as a physician leader and one as an administrative leader. As such, they have leveraged their operational excellence expertise to design the Iterative Leadership Model that includes the leader’s mindset, Leadership Strategies, and a coaching framework: GUIDES (Gather, Understand, Identify, Design, Execute, and Self-Reflect) that is based on the scientific method, PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act), A3 thinking, and the SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan) note format.
The authors masterfully integrate personal reflections, coaching examples, illustrative fictional vignettes, and GUIDES exercises to support leaders in the self-development and self-improvement of seven critical Leadership Attributes: strategic thinking, effective communication, coaching, team-building, change management, continuous learning, and problem-solving.Dedication
Foreword
Foreword
Preface: The Case for Physician Leadership
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introducing the Iterative Leadership Model
Introduction
The Iterative Leadership Model
Leader Mindset
Leadership Strategies
The GUIDES Framework
GUIDES: Gather, Understand, Identify, Design, Execute, and Self-Reflect
Gather
Understand
Identify
Design
Execute
Self-Reflect
Prepare for Your Leadership Development Journey
Bibliography
Seven Leadership Attributes for Successful Physician Leaders
Introduction
Leadership Attributes
Strategic Thinker
Effective Communicator
Coach
Team Builder
Change Manager
Learner-in-Chief
Problem-Solver
Strategic Thinker
Leadership Case Study: Preparing for the Strategic Planning Process
Introduction
Where Are We Now?
Where Are We Going?
How Are We Going to Get There?
Physician Leader as Strategic Thinker
Mindset of the Strategic Thinker
Leadership Strategies for the Strategic Thinker
Broaden Your Perspective and Understanding
Connect the Dots
Seek Engagement and Input From Others
Educate and Coach
Ask Engaging Questions
Be Open-Minded
Close the Loop
Translate and Share the Vision and Strategic Plan
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Strategic Thinker
Bibliography
Effective Communicator
Leadership Case Study: Too Many Communications
Introduction
Physician Leader as Effective Communicator
Mindset of the Effective Communicator
Leadership Strategies for the Effective Communicator
Create Deliberate Communication Pathways
Listen With Respect and Empathy
Deliver Compelling Messages
Foster a Culture of Feedback
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Effective Communicator
Bibliography
Coach
Leadership Case Study: Recognizing the Need for Coaching
Introduction
Physician Leader as Coach
Mindset of the Coach
Leadership Strategies for the Coach
Build a Relationship of Trust
Flex Your Style
Facilitate the Coaching Process
Establish the Coach/Coachee Partnership
Prepare for the Coaching Session
Engage in One-On-One Coaching Sessions
Evaluate Results and Progress
Reflect On Your Role as a Coach
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Coach
Team Builder
Leadership Case Study: The Stellar Team
Introduction
Physician Leader as Team Builder
Mindset of the Team Builder
Leadership Strategies for the Team Builder
Role Model Behavioral Norms
Trust and Respect
Open and Transparent Communication
Continuous Learning
Experimentation Without Fear of Failure
Openness to Feedback
Develop Individual Team Members
Build Trust and Psychological Safety
Storytelling
Ice Breakers
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Team Builder
Bibliography
Change Manager
Leadership Case Study: Resistance to Change in the Midwest
Introduction
Physician Leader as Change Manager
Seminal Change Management Models
Mindset of the Change Manager
Leadership Strategies for the Change Manager
Build Up an Emotional Bank Account By Building Trust Before Change (Covey, 2013)
Demonstrate Respect for People By Involving Those Affected By the Change
Sustain Changes By Implementing Visual Management and Standard Work
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Change Manager
Bibliography
Learner-In-Chief
Leadership Case Study: Building a Learning Culture
Introduction
Physician Leader as Learner-In-Chief
Mindset of the Learner-In-Chief
Leadership Strategies for the Learner-In-Chief
Sharpen Observational Skills
Go to Gemba
General Questions to Consider in Gemba
The Overall Appearance of the Area, Department, and Clinic
Work Quality
The Flow of People, Processes, and Information
Use Each Encounter as a Learning Opportunity
Leadership Case Study Continued
Seek Out New Learning Opportunities
Spend Time in Reflection
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Learner-In-Chief
Bibliography
Problem-Solver
Leadership Case Study: Bringing Problems Out of the Shadows
Introduction
Physician Leader as Problem-Solver
Mindset of a Problem-Solver
Leadership Strategies for the Problem-Solver
Engage and Prepare the Team
Master Problem-Solving Methods
Facilitating the Problem-Solving Process
Step 1: Define the Problem You Are Trying to Solve (Consult With Company Historians and Colleagues)
Step 2: Secure Sponsorship at the Right Level of Leadership
Step 3: Assess Change Readiness and Timing Via Personal Conversations With Sponsors, Teams, and Formal and Informal Leaders
Step 4: Align Sponsors and Stakeholders Around the Problem Scope and Span
Step 5: Assemble a Diverse Team of Experts and Informal Leaders
Step 6: Follow the GUIDES Framework for Effective Facilitation
Step 7: Spread Best Practice
Leadership Strategies: Bringing It All Together
The GUIDES Framework and the Problem-Solver
Bibliography
Conclusion
The Strategic Thinker
The Effective Communicator
The Coach
The Team Builder
The Change Manager
The Learner-In-Chief
The Problem-Solver
Appendix 1 GUIDES Development Plan Template
Appendix 2 Personal and Organizational Change Models
Beer Critical Path Change Model (Eisenstat Et Al.,1990)
Kotter Model (1996)
Kurt Lewin’s Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze Model (Burnes, 2004)
The Prosci ADKAR Model (Hiatt, 2006)
Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits Model (2013)
The Kubler-Ross Grief Model (2018)
Bridges’ Transition Model (Bridges and Mitchell, 2000)
Miller and Rollnick Motivational Interviewing (2013)
Egan’s Skilled Helper Model (2010)
Bibliography
Appendix 3 GUIDES A3 Framework for Iterative Problem-Solving Template
Appendix 4 GUIDES Cross-Functional Redesign Model
Index