Medical Professionals Be a Great Leader

Great leaders inspire people to do their best, but it does happen by magic. The truth is, leadership is a continuous path to be developed and improved over time. Whether you lead a team of three, a full department or an entire organization, here are tips to becoming a better leader.

Develop Your Expertise

People respect a leader who understands the work they do each day. The farther up the ladder you climb, the more removed you are from the day-to-day tasks, responsibilities and skills of your team. This can distance you from those actually “in the trenches.” Continue to build your knowledge and expertise in your field to earn the respect of your team.

Become an Expert Communicator

Great leaders are exceptional communicators. That doesn’t mean they speak well or even often – it means they communicate clearly and above all else. Equally important,they listen to others. Work on listening to your team, and gathering as much information as you can before speaking or providing direction.

Coach, Don’t Preach

Great leaders coach people – letting them know what they are doing well, and helping them identify areas for improvement. Then coach them to get better at their jobs. Work on becoming more of a coach and mentor rather than preacher or lecturer.

Cultivate A Positive Culture

Company culture is a key element of employee happiness and ultimately, retention. As a leader, it is up to you to foster a culture that is positive so team members look forward to coming to work and putting their best foot forward. Promote collaboration, support and open communication and encourage your team to speak up when they have new ideas or better ways of approaching old problems.

Learn What Motivates Your Team

No two people are motivated by the same factors. If employees seem unhappy, it is likely that one or more of their motivational needs are not being met. Get to know your employees and understand what motivates them. For some, this might mean more recognition. For others, it means better work-life balance. Learn what’s missing and try to provide motivation tailored to each person whenever possible.

Trust Your Team

Your employees need the space to do their jobs the best way they know how. Micromanaging everything they do sends the message that you do not trust them. Learn to provide direction and support when needed, but also provide employees with the opportunity to do their jobs and try new things on their own.

When you become a better leader, you’ll build better teams. Employees are much more willing to put their best foot forward for leaders who respect them, motivate them and coach them. For more tips on building great teams, contact the experts at Medical Professionals today.


Leave a Reply