Because of the close working relationships that physicians have with allied medical staff, some physicians, as perceived by some followers, play favorites. Physician leaders must maintain an appropriate distance with staffnever too close, yet never too far away. Trust implies accountability, predictability, and reliability. We trust people who are predictable, whose positions are known and clear. To willingly accept the direction of another individual, trust must exist and it must feel good to follow.
People follow when they feel valued by their leaders.
The people side of leadership is the most difficult to learn and manage, yet it can be the most satisfying aspect, especially when the leader sees people grow and develop, morale is high, and the organization achieves or exceeds its goals. Successful physician leaders are visionary. They understand the marketplace and the big picture, and they create strategies to be proactive or reactive in the marketplace. They are diplomatic and appropriately political. They take risks and are oriented toward organizational growth.