I separate these two concepts because a person might be business smart but not proficient in leadership skills. I believe so because physicians in private practice are not only employers but also producers. They tend to have closer working relationships with their staff than most chief executive officers of other businesses. Our residency and fellowship training programs and medical societies must recognize the invaluable asset that strong leadership skills bring to the ophthalmic community in private practice. Foremost, physician leadership is a complex, demanding job that requires highly developed human relation skills, specifically in the broad areas of interpersonal relations and communication.
Leadership is about motivating others to follow, perform, and achieve.
Physician leaders must be able to establish and maintain positive relationships at all levels within the organization as well as with stakeholders outside the organization. Physician leaders must also communicate their vision, direction, thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Communication creates meaning for people. Successful leaders are excellent communicators. They communicate frequently, and appropriately.