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Amidst the Pandemic, Who Should Be Considered as Healthcare Leaders?
Healthcare Outsourcing is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries on the planet.
In the United States, healthcare companies made up 17% of its GDP by the end of 2019 alone. And they spend more than the world’s average on healthcare.
Its value and function are even more crucial amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why all eyes are set not only on the industry. But the people who lead it, as well.
Whatever sector you belong to, leadership always matters—the direction where the company sails will depend on the captain’s vision.
Especially in the healthcare industry since they play an essential role in society. Without it, diseases, malnutrition, and pregnancy risks will skyrocket. All can become deadly without the guidance of doctors and nurses.
Hence, institutions in the industry need skilled leaders who spearhead innovation and raise ‘customer trust.
But what is it that makes an effective healthcare leader? And what characteristics should you have to be one?
Characteristics of a Leader
Good leaders lead. Great leaders make a difference.
Do you consider yourself a healthcare leader? Here are a few characteristics you should have:
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Leaders Envision a Desired Future
Having a vision for the team means you have goals you want to meet. It also signifies that you understand where the business is heading. And what purpose your group serve in attaining its goals.
Vision acts as a guide to every decision. And when leaders espouse a powerful idea that other people agree with. They will do everything in their ability to be a part of it. And they will be more motivated to work for it.
This is especially important in a fast-paced industry like healthcare.
Everyone needs to be on the page. Each team member must understand the goal of their work, whether it’s the betterment of the whole healthcare industry or personal growth. The leader must bestow inspiration to his members through his vision.
To say it has a vision helps to inspire people.
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Leaders Foster Innovation and Change
Many factors are redefining the value of “healthcare” to people, such as the rising costs of services and emerging technologies.
The contemporary healthcare industry is now undergoing continual change. Some are even restructuring their business structure to adapt to these changes.
The demand for quality services is higher than ever. Today’s healthcare leaders must think of new ways to please people’s needs.
They must lead well, provide quality services, and meet necessities. Not only that, they have to manage their employees’ emotions.
Change begins with the people; They have to be the ones to challenge the status quo.
Leaders must always communicate with subordinates about changes, strategies, and improvements. Everyone must be able to contribute to developing amendments. In that way, you can ensure that they understand the whys and hows of the process changes.
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Leaders Build Effective Teams
Teams should share the same mission and vision. Even more so, they must know their roles in the group. That’s the secret to meeting the organizational goal. And it’s the healthcare leader’s role to ensure they are well-informed.
Nurses who ensure the collection of the necessary health information about the patient should coordinate everything with the patient’s doctors. And doctors should communicate any changes and observations to nurses. This is the basis of patient care. But it implies that people who know and can work together are more inclined to succeed.
Healthcare leaders must recognize the potential of each member and empower them to unlock it. The effectiveness of a team falls on each member’s shoulders.
They must be able to work in unison. The healthcare leader’s capability to have the team collaborate with everyone dictates how far it can go.
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Leaders Create Positive Work Cultures
It’s expected that healthcare leaders can and will establish a high-quality culture both in behavior and values.
They must always set an excellent example because followers model themselves after their leaders.
An always-late supervising physician may also inspire other physicians and nurses to be late.
Hence, the head of a healthcare organization or team is the most potent change agent. They can eliminate, change, and create a culture based on their actions and principles.
Keep in mind that these are not only applicable to the healthcare sector. These are all the basics of being a leader.
I am speaking of position. Do you need to have a high place to be considered a leader? What’s even the difference between a leader and a manager?
Healthcare Leaders vs. Healthcare Managers
Leaders and managers, by function and role, seem so alike. But they are different in some ways:
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HEALTHCARE LEADERS |
HEALTHCARE MANAGERS |
| Leaders create values.
A leader should help create value by leading with action-based examples. An excellent way to start thinking like a leader is by saying, “I’d like you to handle task A while I deal with task B,” Instead of pressuring them to finish their work. |
Managers count values.
Managers do not help create values; they ensure everyone is doing their part. A part of their role is to ensure the team is doing it right. |
| Leaders find a circle of influence.
Leaders surround themselves with people they can help and help them grow. They’re always on the lookout for mutual growth. |
Managers find a circle of power.
Managers are all about power. The more ability they have, the more they can steer the organization to where they want. |
| Leaders lead people.
True leaders influence, motivate, and enable their teams. They guide people and consider everyone a vital piece to success. |
Managers manage people.
Managers aim to control a group of people or a set of entities to accomplish their goals. They make sure that everything functions under one objective. |
This means that both healthcare managers and leaders rely on one another. Management functions can provide leadership, while leadership activities can contribute to managing.
Managers emphasize power and respect for rules and tradition. In healthcare, they stay abreast of changes and new laws and regulations to ensure that healthcare facilities comply with those regulations. They manage the institution’s expenses, keep essential records, and attend investor meetings.
In contrast, healthcare leaders usually motivate and inspire their subordinates. They empower employees to take part in transforming the organization and create changes. They help the team perform optimally, guide employees with their work, and sometimes oversee business operations.
Who Are the Healthcare Leaders
As we have established, one does not need to have a formal position of managerial authority to be a ‘leader.’ However, the healthcare sector is complex and dynamic. It experiences peculiar problems only an expert can resolve.
One of these problems is leadership.
The truth is, with the rise of COVID-19 cases. The separation between management and leadership is narrowing.
Institutions now expect non-clinician managers to be healthcare leaders. These non-clinician managers are usually business owners and executives who only manage the company’s day-to-day operations.
Nowadays, they are expected to make healthcare-related decisions. Such as procurement of new facilities, equipment, and vaccines. Decisions that healthcare practitioners are usually more knowledgeable about.
On the other hand, business owners expect doctors and nurses with no management background to manage teams.
They are expected to manage by themselves. They are also entrusted with evaluating the overall and individual quality of the staff’s work.
The upside is that doctors and nurses are more involved with many business decisions, such as planning, managing, and organizing healthcare procedures and programs.
This is a massive breakthrough since most business decisions come from non-clinical management. Thus, traditional managers are being replaced by clinicians.
But this is not the ideal leadership healthcare should follow.
The approach should be similar to ‘distributed’ or ‘shared’ leadership, where employees engage in tasks that are ‘distributed’ across the organization.
Shared and Distributed Leadership
According to studies, shared leadership leads to better organizational performance.
Shared leadership is more of a collaborative effort. One person is still in charge, but power and influence belong to the collective group. This could mean individuals have more autonomy over decisions. And everyone’s ideas weigh the same to everyone.
The core of shared and distributed leadership is the same. Both recognize that leadership should arise from a collective group effort rather than an appointed leader.
To understand this better, here are three basic principles of shared leadership:
- Promoting transparency for employee happiness, backed by a 93% correlation rate in a Forbes article.
- Creating a secure space for employees to freely share their ideas and thoughts.
- They endorse autonomy, letting employees make key decisions as they perform their work.
Whether you are a small or large business, coordination is essential. A leader should communicate continuously with their team members to make it work.
How Does Healthcare BPO Fit in?
Considering technology as the future of healthcare, virtual leadership skills will become crucial.
That is where healthcare business process outsourcing comes in.
Healthcare BPO can help you find the right person to manage and lead a team of clinicians and non-clinicians. Jobs such as:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Physicians
- Operation Leaders
- Healthcare Advisors
- Behavioral Health Technicians
- Quality Assurance Supervisor
- Operation Associate Manager
- Operation Manager
- And more
These are just some of the jobs that can make a huge difference in easing the day-to-day duties of your business. They are vital in providing fast, efficient, and high-quality patient-focused care.
Healthcare Services BPO finds and trains personnel that will fit perfectly in your team. We can also build the group based on your needs and demands.
At Magellan Solutions, we help develop leaders and professionals in the BPO setting. We can assist you in finding the best talent that can contribute to your healthcare operation. We have a roster of solid resources of medical professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills you need.
Let us collaborate to achieve your goals. Contact us now, and our team will be with you shortly. Or call us today to get your Free 60-minute business consultation with us!
