Here are five key thoughts on healthcare leadership today based on advice from across care settings with an eye toward leadership next year.
1. Hospital and healthcare leaders are focusing more on new care delivery and payment models than before; so are ambulatory surgery center leaders. While some have embraced the bundles and price transparency, others are taking a "wait-and-see" mentality. However, 26 percent of hospital leaders are "voluntarily" shifting to new care and payment delivery models, up from 14.3 percent last year, which could change the competitive healthcare environment significantly going forward, according to the Fall 2014 Economic Outlook survey by Premier.
2. Delegation is more important now than ever, and ASC leaders don't have time to micromanage. The Harvard Business Review shared three tips for limiting micromanagement: don't rationalize the controlling behavior, focus on the big picture, evaluate outcomes instead of the process and be confident in employees and team members.
3. Transformational leadership strategies can help motivate a team and maximize output during times of change. CHRISTUS Health President and CEO Thomas Royer, MD, said the three most transformational strategies for leadership include:
• Maximizing collaboration while minimizing competitiveness
• Aligning incentives while eradicating a win/lose mentality
• Demanding accountability for outcomes instead of measureless responsibility defined by a job description
4. ASCs are looking in new places for patient volume, including marketing strategies. One of the most critical considerations for developing a marketing strategy is focusing on the practice's strength — including any outcomes data available — and targeting the right audience. Information technology and online social media can help the younger or tech-savvy demographic while mailings and hosting community events can reach more traditional patients.
5. Create a positive culture for providing the best care. There are several ways to create a positive culture, but avoid these mottos of sub-par healthcare providers, according to a HealthAffairs op-ed: "We're short of staff" and "We aren't paid enough." Those excuses don't matter to the patient when there is an issue.