For anyone who has spent any amount of time in hospitals, doctors' offices, or any other healthcare settings over the last eighteen months, one thing will be abundantly clear.
No, not that the staff are incredibly hard-working (even though they are) or that underfunding causes a lot of stress (it really does), but that good leadership makes a huge amount of difference to the team and how they approach their work.
Leaders Make A Difference
From the time and energy to give good patient care to the confidence to speak up when there is a concern over care or diagnosis, good and effective leadership really changes the way healthcare teams work together and achieve the goals of treating the patient.
As a result, there are many examples of healthcare teams that have gone on to win awards for best practices. Here are just some of the examples of how good leadership can make a difference.
So far, so obvious, but what is happening on the boardroom level?
There are many reasons why good leaders are so important in healthcare settings. From keeping nursing staff engaged to improving patient satisfaction by having a sense of pride among their team, leaders help teams perform better and achieve the goals they set out for themselves.
In pure business terms, a robust approach to good leadership and management in your healthcare business will mean being able to attract better staff, improve the quality of care and have a happier workforce.
So how can you improve your leadership?
There are many ways to develop more effective leadership skills, with action planning one of the most frequently used methods. Setting goals that you want to achieve is key to effective improvement; however, it is more important that you stick with them and track your progress.
Although it may take time before you see results, patience is certainly required in order to deliver more effective leadership for your healthcare business.
Healthcare Leadership Strategies: Why Are They Important?
To ensure your healthcare business is as effective as possible, it's important to approach leadership in a structured and planned manner. The good news is that if you feel that even your best efforts aren't working that well, there are many strategies and techniques good leaders can employ to improve their effectiveness.
One of the most effective leadership approaches is setting goals for improvement and sticking with them – not just for the leader but also for the rest of the team.
When it comes to planning, it can be beneficial to think about what you'd like to see change over time – such as fewer staff complaints or less absenteeism – and break this down into smaller steps so your team can work together towards them.
Why Does Good Leadership Matter?
The benefits of good leadership are widely talked about, but what are they actually? And how can they benefit your business? When someone has outstanding leadership qualities, it's not just the nurses who will benefit – so too will the staff and managers.
So, what are the benefits of good leadership?
Good Leadership Improves Morale
It is well documented that high staff morale is hugely beneficial for any healthcare business. If you're struggling to keep staff motivated, well-managed leaders can play a hugely positive role in this by demonstrating excellent attitudes, engaging with staff, and showing genuine respect for them.
This can help improve morale throughout the team and encourage better working practices among everyone involved.
Studying Healthcare Management
Like most business industries, it's not enough to simply hope that a well-educated nurse or doctor will be a good and effective leader; this is a skill that needs to be taught, to be mentored, and to be nurtured.
However, if a nurse or a doctor isn't properly educated on how to manage a healthcare system or given the tools to do so effectively, they will fail.
In addition, it is very hard that someone with no education on the subject can simply teach themselves how to be more effective in this position.
Simply put, if you don't want your healthcare management team to fail, then you need to enroll them in an accredited program that can actually make a difference.
Studying Healthcare Management Online: Is it Worth It?
Before you begin your search for a program that will educate your healthcare staff on leadership skills and techniques, it's important that you realize the challenges of studying online.
When you study online, it allows you to read and learn from the comfort of your home or office. This is convenient, and it makes the learning process much easier.
Studying healthcare management online also offers a lot of flexibility too. You can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. It's perfect for those who don't want to give up their day job but still want to earn a degree in healthcare management at the same time.
Another benefit that comes along with studying healthcare management online is that you also receive access to an academic advisor to help you with any school-related questions or concerns.
Effective Leadership Strategies
Anyone can be an effective leader. There are certain basic traits that every great leader should possess, but, in addition to that, there are several specific strategies that can be applied in any leadership situation.
The following points offer some great tips to improve your leadership and management in your healthcare business and ensure that you achieve your targets:
Tip #1: Ensure that the team has a clear sense of vision and purpose.
If you want to be a leader in your healthcare business, you need to ensure that your employees understand what they're working towards. You need to clearly communicate what you want or expect from them so there is no misunderstanding on either side.
If the team only has a vague idea of where they're heading, it's possible for them to get sidetracked by other tasks, losing sight of their goals completely.
Tip #2: Be There for Your Team
Leading your healthcare team doesn't come without its challenges, but it's important to make time to support, motivate and encourage each of your employees.
A great leader should be an example to follow for the rest of the team, so make sure that you are willing to work alongside them as much as you can. Make time for regular meetings, take part in any activities that they're involved in, and generally show that you care.
Tip #3: Create a Supportive Culture
A great way to make your team feel comfortable and encouraged is to create a supportive and encouraging culture. This should be reflected in all aspects of the business, from the way staff communicate with each other, to the types of activities they take part in.
An atmosphere of teamwork and respect can go a long way in creating an ideal working environment for your staff that will encourage better productivity and provides greater motivation for their work.
Tip #4: Treat Your Team with Respect
Leaders should also be seen and treated as equals by everyone they lead. If you expect people to follow your commands and take actions beyond their job description, you'll lose them fast.
Instead, you need to show your team that you're on the same level as they are and treat them with respect on a day-to-day basis. This will send out the right signals and encourage cooperation from your team members.
Tip #5: Motivate Your Team to Succeed
Every industry is full of competition, so it's important that your healthcare team feels as if there is a reason for them to succeed. In healthcare specifically, it can be pretty difficult for some employees – especially those who work with children – which is why motivation is crucial for this industry.
A great way to keep your team motivated is to provide them with extensive, clear, and high-quality training. This will not only give employees the skills they need to perform better, but it will also motivate them by demonstrating how this knowledge can benefit their continued employment.
Tip #6: Practice Effective Communication
Leaders of any type of business don't always get time to themselves or get the chance to take a step back and relax. So, if you want good results from your team, you need to make time for effective communication.
Effective communication is an essential part of any leadership role, but in healthcare, it can make or break your business. This means that you need to take the time to listen to employees and hear their concerns, as well as communicate your expectations clearly in turn.
Tip #7: Don't Forget to Laugh!
A great team is one in which everyone gets along and enjoys being with each other, so embrace the happy smiles and the occasional outbursts of laughter!
The Personality Traits of Effective Leaders
How you act when the spotlight is on you is generally how you act all of the time.
If you would like to become an effective leader in healthcare, it's important that you act the part when it's needed most. You need to pay attention to your mannerisms and things like your tone of voice and eye contact.
Not only will this make a positive impression on others, but it will also make a huge difference in your relationship with them.
