The Indispensable Role of Leadership and People Management in Modern Medicine
Vested
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Isaiah Thomas had a decorated basketball career in college and the NBA, accumulating an NCAA championship, two NBA championships, and was a twelve-time NBA all-star. Despite his illustrious career as a player, Zeke was not as fortuitous as the coach of the New York Knicks. His tenure as the Knicks coach was highlighted by a losing record, several high-profile player acquisitions that did not deliver, and off the court controversies. A lesson that was learned quickly after my fellowship training when I was thrusted into practice is that no matter how well you did on all your board exams or the technical and functional expertise that you attained in your line of medicine, people management brings about new challenges that are not refined in your training.
The relative challenge in medicine is to become effective managers in your direct ecosystem, in which constant and rapid change has become the standard, especially in a field such as hematology-oncology. Considering the rapid pace of scientific advances, volume of information, time constraints, and complexity of new treatment options available for patients, it is difficult to have the right answers all the time. To cope with this new norm, it is increasingly important to invest, support, and provide guidance to your direct healthcare team. More times than not, you are the coach that the staff looks to for answers and that drives change, which underscores the importance of being an effective leader.
When we enter medical school, one of our guiding principles is how we can provide quality patient care. The knowledge and technical aspects we will acquire during medical school, residency, and fellowship training, however, it is those intangibles that take work. We must not only aspire to be good leaders, but it is something that needs to be incorporated into everyday practice to make it happen. There are several ways this can translate into improved patient care. The first is through clear communication amongst your healthcare team, which many include nurses, dietitians, physical therapists, social workers, pharmacists, consultants, and other key staff members. It is paramount in reducing errors and improving outcomes. Just as important as it is in basketball, teamwork is a key component of providing quality care. If one can lead well, it can create a culture of trust and respect, encouraging collaboration and shared decision-making. Finally, a trait that is sometimes undervalued is the ability to empower colleagues and junior staff to improve their skills and knowledge. This means sometimes listening more and absorbing what others are telling you, being non-directive, and supporting others.
It’s important to realize that these skills can be developed over time and do not mature overnight. Becoming a good leader takes time, as it is a complex skill that involves multiple dimensions, including personal growth, experience, and learning. Step out of your comfort zone and model the behavior you wish your team to embrace – you will see the momentum build over time.