What works brilliantly at the bedside doesn't always work in the boardroom.
We spend years developing the ability to diagnose problems, make decisions, and provide answers. Those instincts work beautifully in medicine.
Then we move into leadership, where those same instincts can get in the way. And we may not even recognize it.
Do any of these sound familiar?
• Solving everyone's problems instead of developing others.
• Making decisions rather than creating alignment.
• Relying on authority instead of earning trust.
• Expecting people to follow because you're right.
And here’s the catch: you often can’t see what’s happening, and few will tell you directly. Those are blind spots. That’s why a diagnosis comes first.
Leadership requires something different.
Often, the most important thing you can do is slow down, listen, ask the right questions, and bring people with you.
I learned this the hard way. I don’t want you to step into the same trap.
Being the person with the answer wasn't enough. I had to learn that how you lead matters as much as what you accomplish.
Thankfully, I started learning these lessons during my time as Chief Resident in the early 2000s. I will say through observing many other physician leaders, it’s better to learn this when you’re a Department Chair instead of after you get overpromoted to Chief of Staff or Chief Medical Officer.
It’s part of the transition from Expert Physician to Exceptional Leader. Please reach out to chat about your leadership journey.
Jon Zlabek (JZ), MD, MBA, FSVM, FACP, is a physician executive and physician leadership coach with more than 25 years of clinical experience and a diverse leadership background, including roles as Chief Medical Officer, Medical Vice President, Board of Trustees member, and Chief of Staff. Through JZ and Me Physician Development, I help physicians build confidence, strengthen connection, and become exceptional leaders through diagnostic-driven physician leadership coaching. Learn more about my approach to physician leadership coaching.
