The RIGHT Answer Can Be the WRONG Move

🚨 Newsflash: Leading people is different from crushing the MCAT. 🚨

As physicians, we're trained to find the right answer.

Ace the test. Diagnose the problem. Prescribe the treatment.

When our white coat is on, that's exactly what we should do.

But leaders must do something harder: Get people to move with them without leaning on their title. That’s called influence without authority.

⚠️ You can have the right answer but still lose the room.
⚠️ You can make the right decision but still lose trust.
⚠️ You can solve the problem but miss the teaching moment your team needs to grow.

That's one of the hardest transitions from Expert Physician to Exceptional Leader.

Your job is no longer just to have the answer.

It's to help other people understand it, believe in it, and move forward with you.

Sometimes that means:
✅ Listen longer and talk less.
✅ Ask better questions.
✅ Guide others so they have the opportunity to solve the problem themselves.

It’s not about having the right answer. It's about knowing when your answer isn't the most important thing.

If you're navigating this transition from Expert Physician to Exceptional Leader, a physician leadership coach is likely your best move, I'd love to talk.


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.