I have the privilege of meeting and working with many talented leaders across the country. They are bright, experienced, successful, and motivated to take their organizations to the next level.
They share a common bond in that each one is struggling to find the talent their organizations are desperate for; yet when it comes to positioning themselves and their employer brands in the mainstream, suddenly the reality of their inaction becomes painfully clear.
They are invisible...and so are their organizations.
But We Provide Great Care
What is so often confusing for leaders in hospitals, and other organizations along the healthcare continuum, is that their status as a provider (think MD, Hospital, Long Term Care facility, etc.) has nothing to do with their reputation as an employer.
For some reason, these concepts get interwoven so frequently that today's leaders are missing an enormous opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition.
Everyone knows what you do...no one knows what it's like to work for you.
Digital World
Whether or not "experienced" leaders want to accept it or not, we live in a digital world. There is no point in making lame excuses that you don't have time to learn (read here, it is not a priority to learn.)
Or, that you don't understand how digital business tools work (read here, I can save patients lives with my clinical skills but I am too embarrassed to let anyone know I can't figure out twitter.)
Trust me, we already know. You're invisible, remember?
How About You
So, what are you going to do about your status as an accomplished leader who has not remained current? Who are you going to reach out to for help without publicly shaming yourself?
Me, that's who. I'd love to help you get started. If I could do it...you absolutely can.
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
pic
One of the issues that concerns me in writing this blog, speaking at events both small and large, and attempting to actively participating in the larger "leadership discussion" is that somehow I end up getting in the way of the message. It's a delicate balancing act for those of us that are not afraid to challenge each other, and ourselves in our professional practice. Perhaps there are some basic tenets that can be focused on as I move forward to help guard against getting too full of myself. (Read here => tall order.)
Participation as a Responsibility
Part of my struggle is that I firmly believe any real leader should be required to actively participate in making themselves, their profession and their organization stronger. That won't happen if you sit in your office with your lame open door policy waiting for your staff to come by and kiss your managerial ring. Participation means speaking out, taking risks, making mistakes and going forward in spite of your failings.
Another Side of Leadership
Beyond the public recognition of the leadership contribution should come a more discreet counterpoint. The work that gets done behind the scenes should also take as much of a priority as the flashy presentation that gets splashed all over the trendiest web sites and blogs. How much leadership do you provide that only a precious few people, perhaps only one person at times, actually notices? That doesn't seem to be worth the investment, does it? But it does to that one person whose life you just impacted. Big time.
"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can."
— John Wesley
How About You
Check your calendar...it's full. Check your task list...it's full too. Now check the mirror. Still too busy to provide leadership that won't end up on the backchannel?
I'd love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
pic courtesy of oxfordswfproject
Whether or not "experienced" leaders want to accept it or not, we live in a digital world. There is no point in making lame excuses that you don't have time to learn (read here, it is not a priority to learn.)