2021 GI Outlook (GO) Conference | November 2021-Leadership in GI Practices

Pdf Summary

Leadership in GI practices is a critical aspect of running a successful and efficient healthcare organization. While leadership is often misunderstood, it is not about seniority or titles, but rather about the ability to influence and guide others towards achieving a common goal. Leadership encompasses various traits, abilities, skills, behaviors, relationships, and an influence process.<br /><br />There are five stages of leadership that individuals can progress through, starting from being followed because of their position, to being followed for who they are and what they represent. Key leadership traits include intelligence, confidence, charisma, determination, sociability, and integrity.<br /><br />Good leaders possess qualities such as setting an example, motivating others, effective communication, emotional intelligence, delegation, accountability, humility, challenging the status quo, and taking calculated risks. They also possess core leadership skills such as problem-solving, strategic planning, creating a vision, and being socially perceptive.<br /><br />There are different leadership styles that can be effective based on the situation, including visionary, coaching, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, and commanding styles. Leadership is essential in solving problems for patients and the practice, creating innovative solutions, and avoiding burnout.<br /><br />Physician leaders have both traditional and contemporary tasks, including articulating a vision, understanding new disciplines, focusing on the patient while having a broader perspective, and utilizing data analytics. They need a range of core competencies, such as revenue cycle management, quality metrics, and strategy and change management.<br /><br />Physician leadership training can be acquired through experience, example, and education. This can include real-world experiences, serving on committees, and pursuing formal education, such as obtaining degrees in business and healthcare administration. Inclusive leadership requires traits such as visible commitment, humility, awareness of bias, curiosity about others, cultural intelligence, and effective collaboration.<br /><br />Leading a GI practice through a crisis requires planning, effective communication, compassion, managing the "new normal" after the crisis, and taking critical steps such as assessing damage, dispelling rumors, and setting expectations. A resilient practice staff possesses characteristics such as candor, resourcefulness, compassion, empathy, and humility.<br /><br />Overall, effective leadership in GI practices is essential for navigating challenges, improving operations, and achieving practice goals. Leaders should continuously improve their skills and adapt to changing circumstances to ensure the success and growth of the practice.

Asset Subtitle

Costas Kefalas, MD, MMM, FASGE

Keywords

Leadership in GI practices

successful healthcare organization

influence and guide others

leadership traits

setting an example

effective communication

problem-solving

different leadership styles

physician leaders

physician leadership training