4 Signs of Good Hospital Leadership

A high functioning hospital draws steam from exemplary leadership. The performance of a department depends on a good leader who understands the role of the organization and values every hospitalist within the group.

This is no easy task. The daily demands of the hospital are complex and time-sensitive, which makes the position all the more important. Are you a strong leader or at least a part of a strong team? Below are the signs of good hospital leadership everyone must seek within their group.

1. Specific goal setting.

At the start of any working relationship, communicate specific goals, objectives, and standards to all parties. This gives everyone a target and purpose. Every hospitalistshould know what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. The clearer you are with your goals, the better hospitalists can stay on track in achieving them.

For example, be specific about the length of time it takes to see a single patient and what patient files need to be filled. Not only will this streamline the work, it also makes tracking performance easier.

2. Performances are analyzed and outcomes are measured.

As a leader, your goal is to achieve the highest performance and get the best out of everyone. The easiest way to do this is to track everything. Analyze group and individual performance data and distribute it among your group.

Analyzing data can reveal problems more easily, allowing your team to address them quickly. Communicate the numbers and share comments that will improve the performance of individual physicians who may be struggling or are in need of more training. This may be a difficult conversation to have but it is the best way to tackle the problem head-on.

On the other hand, the same numbers can be used to identify hospitalists with good performance. Effective leaders must openly recognize people who are putting in hard work and effort. This simple act empowers individuals and motivates them to do even better. It moves your group forward and ensures patients receive the highest level of care.

3. Leading by example.

The simplest way to receive outstanding performance from your team is to be outstanding yourself. More than anything, your responsibility as a leader is to encourage and empower the hospitalists that work with you. They look to you for motivation and direction. If you do not give it to them, how can they return it to you? Everything you ask for must start from you.

Offer them guidance, listen, and create a healthy working environment. Be honest and transparent. Keep the lines of communication open and always provide continuous feedback and constructive criticism. Be the bridge between your team and the administration. Align goals and ensure that the individual goals of your employees match the vision of the hospital.

Yes, it is a lot of work on your part, so do what you can to stay on top of it. Attend leadership development courses, seek mentorship from other physician leaders, network, and seek out other positions that will actively contribute to your growth.

4. Fostering good relationships.

Much of your success depends on the people you work with. Make building relationships a priority and work on it every day. Foster good relationships with your employees, your supervisors, the administration, your patients – anyone you are in contact with every day. This will make it easier for you to communicate with them and to get them on board for changes and programs that will improve your team’s overall performance.

In the end, it’s important to be open to the opinion of your mentors and colleagues, and to know where you can find help when you need it.Living up to the role of a hospitalist in a leadership position is a difficult task, but you need not do it completely by yourself.