Fostering Leadership Potential

Leadership development for a physician requires a comprehensive approach and lasts throughout his or her entire career. Hospitalist leaders can foster leadership in their organizations by proactively recruiting physicians with leadership potential.

To do this, first determine whether a candidate’s skills and knowledge meet your organization’s needs. A well-constructed interview enables you to evaluate attitude, self-image, and social skills. The interview process should look below the surface to assess the candidate’s motives, values, and key personality traits.

Traits to look for in physician leaders include:
▪ Organizational agility
▪ Integrity values
▪ History of achievement
▪ Motivation
▪ Professional and personal goals
▪ Interpersonal and communication skills
▪ Ability to accept feedback and respond to coaching
▪ Leadership experience and potential

To target and develop leadership potential in a physician, the key is to start early. Immediately introduce physicians to the organization’s goals, mission, vision, and core values, and discuss how these align with those of the physician.

By clarifying expectations, the developing physician leader will better understand how his or her skills will help to lead the organization in multiple ways: clinically, as a business enterprise, and among peers and staff.

Ensure that up-and-coming hospitalist leaders understand the expectations and specific responsibilities related to their job description. Communication and ongoing feedback and support are essential and send the message that you want to nurture the careers of physician leaders. This helps to increase job satisfaction and retention.