For Leaders, Managers, Supervisors, Individual Contributors, and Team Members:

 

Behaviors & Skills to lead in uncertain and complex environments

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In healthcare today, the need for leaders to adapt and acquire the behaviors and skills needed to lead effectively in an uncertain, complex, and continuously shifting environment is more important than ever.  Advances in technology, new standards of care, new models of health and  health care (i.e., Accountable Care Organizations), and a growing and diverse population with changing demographics have accelerated ongoing change in the health care arena.   

Additionally, the Affordable Care Act (health care reform), new health care regulations and compliance considerations, changes in how patients want to access care, and cost pressures have also added to the complexity and uncertainty in health care.  So, in this new health care environment, what leadership skills do leaders need to have to successfully Perform, Lead, Engage, Grow as we create high-performing health care organizations in the midst of complexity and uncertainty? 

To help our health care leaders understand and focus on the leadership skills needed to navigate this new environment, we researched hundreds of articles, journals, and books on leadership, learned from some of the best leaders in health care, immersed ourselves in the complexity of various health care systems, and observed ecosystems where leadership occurs naturally in nature. What we have found was that while leaders must have high levels of professional and technical expertise, they must have something even greater: leadership intelligence to succeed in this new complex environment.   

What is leadership intelligence (LQ)? 

LQ is a compilation of behavioral elements needed to help leaders lead in health care today.  While there are no guaranteed formulas for leadership success (at least none that we know of), we believe that these behavioral elements will help leaders lead in the new health care environment.  These behavioral elements are: 

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• LEAD: Lead with a purpose and by example 

• ENGAGEMENT: Engage teams through effective communication 

• ACCOUNTABILITY: Accountability and ownership – the buck stops with me 

• DEVELOP: 

  • Development of self – become an ever-learning leader         

  • Development of team members to ensure long-term success 

• EXECUTION: Systematically execute on priorities to ensure success and sustainability 

• RECOGNITION: Recognize and acknowledge incremental steps, aligned behaviors, and outcomes (successful and in some cases, not so successful) 

• SOLIDIFY RELATIONSHIPS: Build, mend, and solidify relationships to create a lasting network and build trust 

• HEALTHY TEAMS: promote health and healthy teams in the workplace (functionally, mentally, physically, and ethically) 

• INTERDEPENDENCE: promote interdependence to create new thinking and foster Innovation 

• PERSONAL: do not forget yourself – focus on personal life/work integration 

• Q: Quotients that will give you the advantage as a leader – A.C.C.E.S.S.  intelligence                          

These elements have been consolidated into the acronym L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Q for you to remember. These are timeless principles that have kept many of us grounded, consistent, and effective as leaders amid the challenges and uncertainty that exists in the health care industry.  We believe these elements of leadership will do the same for you.   

When you adopt the elements of the L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. acronym and Quotients, please share your experiences with us so that together we can continue to grow and improve our teams and, organizations, and most importantly, create a positive difference for our customers. 

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“These 10 Elements of L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Intelligence are timeless principles that have kept many of us grounded, consistent, flexible, and effective as leaders amid the challenges and uncertainty that exists in ever-changing environments today. We believe that internalizing these LQ elements will do the same for you as you work to successfully navigate the many challenges, changes, and complexities in business today.” says Dr. Oyekan. 

 

 “I have been a big fan of Elizabeth since seeing her speak on a panel for the Colorado Diversity Council.  Her ability to tell a story and command the full attention of an audience is breathtaking.  The messages delivered resonate with all.  I am now an even bigger fan of hers since reading her book.  I will be a better leader because of it.”

Carla Heimbigner, Vice President, North Highland, Worldwide Consulting Company

 

“Dynamic, engaging, easy to understand; a must-read for leaders at all levels.” Dr. Teju Guest, Family Medicine Physician, Florida

 

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