Inova Health’s Post

Hello, LinkedIn connections, I recently delved into the insightful book "Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box" (gifted by my role model Aashish Swarup) and found its insights particularly relevant to the current corporate landscape in India. Today, I want to shed light on a pervasive issue in corporate environments: self-deception. Allow me to illustrate with a brief story. In the mid-1800s, Dr. Semmelweis, while working at Vienna General Hospital, faced a dire situation in the maternity ward where mortality rates among women were alarmingly high, reaching 1 in 10. Despite diligent efforts and even replicating successful procedures from other wards, no improvement was seen. Perplexed, Dr. Semmelweis took a four-week vacation. Upon his return, he was astonished to find that mortality rates had decreased during his absence. Further investigation revealed that the primary cause was the transmission of germs by doctors who had been working with cadavers. Implementing a simple yet effective solution—handwashing in chlorine water—resulted in a significant drop in mortality rates to 1 in 1000. What can we glean from this historical account? Just as there was a hidden germ causing havoc in the maternity ward, organizations harbor a similar threat: self-deception. This insidious mindset stifles leadership effectiveness and teamwork, leading to a phenomenon I like to call "working in a box." When individuals operate within closed boxes, they become resistant to constructive criticism, hindering organizational progress. Failing to recognize this self-deception poses a significant challenge. Despite dedicating precious time and effort to their work, individuals infected by this germ make collaboration difficult, impacting not only themselves but also their colleagues and the organization as a whole. Let's strive to break free from the confines of self-deception and foster a culture of openness and growth within our organizations. Thank you for reading. #corporate #organization #leadership

In a recent interview, I was asked what advice I had for aspiring healthcare leaders. Many examples came to mind. One is dedication, taught to me from seeing my mother’s dedication as a nurse to the patients in our town’s small hospital. And words from an early mentor and hero of mine, Dave Jepson, legacy CFO at Intermountain Health, who told me that the best way to advance in your career is to do the best job possible in your current position. And, perhaps, the advice near the top of my list, comes from Joe Horton, an incredible leader who served as CEO at Primary Children’s Hospital and COO at Intermountain Health. His advice: Leaders can’t be victims. And victims can’t be leaders. Leaders are in a position to inspire, empower, and navigate challenges. This can’t happen if a leader is dwelling on past issues or blaming others. A victim mindset only creates immobility, for both the leader and for everyone who follows. It can be easy for any of us to fall into this mindset, even on the smallest details. It’s important to always stay mindful, double-check ourselves, and have a trusted colleague to keep us accountable. When we’re tempted to feel like the victim, here’s what we can do: 1) Become the problem-solver. As the leader, you are not the one affected, rather you are the one affecting the lives of many others. Hold this responsibility carefully and embrace your ability to make a positive impact. 2) Focus on motivation rather than limitation. No matter the situation, your team is likely doing something better than anyone else. Discover what is motivating that area of excellence and empower your team to recreate it in problem areas. 3) If you or your team are feeling lost, look in the mirror. A confused team often reflects a lack of clear direction from their leader. It’s your job to provide a focused pathway and guide your team through it. Leading healthcare can be difficult. We continually face critical decisions. But the challenges don’t need to negatively influence our mindset. As leaders, we can choose to rise above, take responsibility for our actions and the actions of others, and choose to lead. 

Stress and burnout are costing US companies over $300 billion annually on absenteeism, presenteeism, healthcare utilization and turnover. Leaders need strategies that can quickly give their people solutions to their burnout and this is exactly what clinical and sports psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo shares with audiences. With over two decades helping celebrities, high performing executives, entrepreneurs and athletes address stress and access untapped reserves of potential, it is no surprise that Dr. E is often referred to as “America’s Most Trusted Celebrity Psychologist.” Based on research from her latest book, Get Out of The Red Zone: Transform Your Stress and Optimize True Success, Dr. E gives leaders and their people a new shorthand to use in high moments of stress that helps realign them for better outcomes. @Elizabethlombardo  

In the demanding world of healthcare, we often see clinical leaders feel the pressure to put others before themselves. However, it is important to recognise when self-sacrifice becomes a pattern, both on a personal and professional level, as this can be detrimental in the long run. Whilst many of us recognise that dedication and compassion are vital, it’s equally important to recognise the limits of self-sacrifice and the implications of this on maintaining a more sustainable approach to leadership. The perils of self-sacrifice cannot be underestimated. For example, burnout, can result in physical exhaustion, emotional fatigue, and a sense of detachment. This not only affects your health but also diminishes your ability to lead effectively. Furthermore, compromised leadership can occur, which can lead to you feeling overwhelmed, thus impacting on your decision-making abilities, patience, and overall leadership qualities. This can create a ripple effect, impacting on team morale and patient care quality. Not to mention ineffective role modelling, as your team looks up to you as a leader and by constantly sacrificing your own well-being, you may inadvertently set a precedent that self-care is not important. This can then lead to a culture of burnout within your team. So, empower yourself and your team to learn how to continuously self-preserve through: 1.    Setting clear boundaries 2.    Delegating effectively 3.    Practicing self-care 4.    Cultivating emotional intelligence 5.    Promoting healthy communication 6.    Advocating the need for CPD to boost confidence

According to a 2023 KPMG study, 75% of female execs have experienced impostor syndrome. Tackling self-doubt is critical, though too frequently an afterthought on a leader’s priority list. We have highlighted some key tactics to combat impostor syndrome, courtesy of four female healthcare leaders from Becker's Healthcare. -Surround yourself with a strong team -“You are enough.” i.e., positive self-talk -Your unique perspective has value, so lean into it -Ask questions and embrace curiosity—lifelong learners succeed! And remember, leadership is a team game. Success in healthcare, like in any other industry, cannot be achieved in a vacuum. A strong supporting team, powered by trust, is a powerful remedy for impostor syndrome. https://lnkd.in/eHqGNzzM  

💥 May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month 💥 👉 I've battled Fibromyalgia for more than 14 years. Fibromyalgia is a complex condition affecting around 2-4% of the population, predominantly women. It's characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory issues, and mood imbalances. Studies indicate that around 75-90% of those diagnosed are women. Despite its prevalence, fibromyalgia remains poorly understood, with diagnosis often taking years due to its varied symptoms and lack of definitive diagnostic tests. Navigating the professional world with chronic pain demands resilience and understanding, both from individuals and leaders. With conditions like fibromyalgia affecting millions, it's essential for workplaces to foster environments of empathy and flexibility. Leaders play a pivotal role in creating spaces where employees feel supported and valued despite their health challenges. Flexible work arrangements, accommodations, and open communication channels are vital. By acknowledging the diverse needs of their team members, leaders can cultivate loyalty, productivity, and a culture of inclusivity. Balancing the guilt of not always being at 100% while managing chronic pain is a constant struggle for many employees, myself included. The pressure (often self-inflicted) to perform at peak levels clashes with the reality of fluctuating symptoms and the need for self-care. As individuals, it's essential to prioritize health without succumbing to guilt. However, this journey becomes more manageable when leaders foster environments of understanding and support. I am grateful to have leaders in my professional experience who have been empathic and understanding of my fibromyalgia. By recognizing employees' unique challenges and championing a culture of empathy, organizations can empower their teams to thrive despite health challenges. Let's navigate this journey together with compassion and resilience. #fibromyalgiaawareness #EmpatheticLeadership #ChronicPainInWorkplace

Stress and burnout are costing US companies over $300 billion annually on absenteeism, presenteeism, healthcare utilization and turnover. Leaders need strategies that can quickly give their people solutions to their burnout and this is exactly what clinical and sports psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo shares with audiences. With over two decades helping celebrities, high performing executives, entrepreneurs and athletes address stress and access untapped reserves of potential, it is no surprise that Dr. E is often referred to as “America’s Most Trusted Celebrity Psychologist.” Based on research from her latest book, Get Out of The Red Zone: Transform Your Stress and Optimize True Success, Dr. E gives leaders and their people a new shorthand to use in high moments of stress that helps realign them for better outcomes. Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D.

As an executive woman do you find that no matter how much you do, it never feels enough? Then this is for you. I was speaking with an executive client yesterday who has been struggling with feeling enough recently. As high performers this is something I unfortunately come across often and wanted to share what I shared with her in the hope it helps you too. If you give 40% on a day you have 40% to give - you still gave 100% - and that IS ENOUGH. Read that again! No 2 weeks are going to be the same in the world of an executive woman and the key to success and what ensures our clients still get incredible results and are constantly moving the needle forwards with their health, career and relationships goals is being able to adapt given their current sphere. It is not that they are incapable of doing more, these are VERY highly capable women, it is purely coming down to setting realistic expectations in the current moment based on their capacity and knowing that is ok. That their current level of giving is still having an impact and ensuring they can continue giving and having an impact. The challenge becomes when you are continuously pushing for 100% on days that you only have 40/50/60 and aren’t topping up your tank - this is only sustainable for a short period of time before you are forced to slow down. How we help our clients overcome this purely comes down to working smart not hard. Looking at their current sphere and adapting their actions to ensure they get the biggest return on investment for their time and energy. Outcome: they are always moving the needle forward with their goals, they perform better because of it and are importantly feel better for it. If this resonates and you would like to learn more about how you can adapt given your current sphere, what actions you can take that will give you the biggest return on investment of your time and energy, ensuring you are continuously moving the needle forwards in your health, career and relationship goals. Message me the word “Insights” to book you FREE 15 minute Executive Health Consultation.

In the fast-paced world of executive leadership, where successful Gen-X executive women are carving a path to success, burnout is an all-too-common foe. The constant juggling act between professional responsibilities, personal life, and societal expectations can take a toll on your well-being. But what if we told you that there's a powerful antidote to burnout? It's called self-care. When you make an investment in self-care, you invest in yourself and your well-being. It can be learning a new skill for fun, creating a better healthcare habit, or simply hitting the pause button to take time for yourself. When you learn to put yourself at the front of the line, everyone around you benefits. So, I'm curious - how do you invest in yourself with self-care?

Here's a great article on #healthcareleader #burnout. There are several questions we ask our clients to understand their reality before considering how to support their #healthcaretransformation efforts. Do you have a trusted #advisor - where you can let down your guard? Do you have clear #decision authority? Effective governance relationships - both with your board and within your organization? Does your mission statement align with reality on the ground? How are you managing expectations of your internal team? What about ensuring alignment and managing expectations of your complex web of external stakeholders? All these things are pre-requisites for #leadership to drive #transformation within healthcare. What do others think? https://lnkd.in/gH5nrb9w