Important Leadership Skills For Healthcare Professionals

Most healthcare professionals want to thrive in their careers and continue to advance as they gain years of valuable experience. But only some end up in leadership positions that allow them to shape the progression of the healthcare industry. So how do these healthcare leaders surpass others to become the ultimate mentors and teachers? The truth is that most healthcare leaders share a few of the same core leadership qualities that allow them to excel.

Communication

The ability to communicate clearly, positively, and effectively is one that is often underappreciated. Healthcare practitioners, in particular, have to be able to communicate with a wide variety of audiences. The best methods of communicating will vary depending on the situation — for example, an elderly patient and a classroom full of med school students will each require very different communication styles. The language used by doctors and nurses will change depending on whether they’re speaking to a colleague, a patient, or an industry leader. It’s important that they are able to use technical terms in professional settings when the speed of communication is paramount, but they must also be able to explain common medical conditions to patients in layman’s terms without appearing pompous or making patients feel belittled.

Empathy

Empathy is a crucial skill for all healthcare professionals, especially those who are hoping to become teachers or industry leaders. The challenging thing about being empathetic with patients as a healthcare worker is striking the perfect balance. Not enough empathy can make physicians seem robotic and unfeeling, and patients may believe that their doctor doesn’t care about their well-being. However, too much empathy can get in the way of working efficiently. It is not practical, for example, for a doctor to become overly emotional anytime they diagnose a patient with a terminal disease. This would quickly become emotionally exhausting for healthcare professionals and they would be unable to continue to provide their patients with the best possible care. One of the greatest feats that healthcare workers have to perform every day is finding the middle ground between being empathetic and being practical.

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is critical for healthcare workers because they often have to think outside the box to determine the best method of treatment. When one solution isn’t working, physicians must be able to quickly adapt and attempt a different course of action. What’s more, these decisions must often be made quickly in high-pressure situations. The ability to decisively break down a challenge and prioritize tasks to solve it is highly prized in the healthcare field. Healthcare professionals who become industry leaders are usually those who aren’t afraid to seek alternative solutions. Just because one solution has worked in the past does not mean that it is the best one available. Healthcare leaders are always looking to explore new options and improve patient care.

Conflict Resolution

Being able to resolve conflicts is another important skill for doctors and nurses. Regardless of who is involved in the conflict or what it’s about, true leaders must be able to set their ego aside and really hear both sides of the conversation. In most situations, there is something to be gleaned from both sides of a conflict. Medical leaders know this and will listen with compassion to ensure that both parties are heard. They are able to quickly get to the root of any issue and help colleagues move past conflicts so everyone can work together in harmony.

Interpersonal Skills

Patients have to be able to trust their nurses and doctors, but it can be challenging to build this kind of relationship quickly. This is why it’s important for healthcare professionals to have impeccable interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Healthcare leaders are able to quickly put any patient at ease and make them feel comfortable in any situation. They pick up on both verbal and non-verbal cues that indicate a patient’s state of mind and use this information to help them build a positive rapport with all of their patients. The best nurses seem to have a sixth sense about when one of their patients is in need and can anticipate the best ways to look after them without being asked.

IT Skills

The intersections between healthcare and technology are constantly advancing, and most healthcare professionals now need to use multiple kinds of technological tools in their daily work. True healthcare leaders always stay on top of the latest developments and are adept at using tools like Electronic Health Records. They embrace the benefits that technology provides to the healthcare field and encourage their colleagues to do the same. Healthcare leaders know that technology can streamline healthcare processes and improve the quality of patient care, so they try to use technology in their daily work as much as possible.

Willingness To Learn

One of the top qualities in healthcare leaders that is surprising to some is a constant willingness to learn. Lifelong learning is essential in the healthcare industry and all of the best doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and personal support workers (PSWs) know that they will never know it all. The ability to be humble and realize that there is always more to learn is one of the greatest skills that a healthcare worker can possess. This is because it opens up endless opportunities for them to acquire new skills, try new treatment options, and discover the latest research.

Healthcare professionals who possess an endless sense of curiosity and a genuine love of learning make some of the best leaders, especially when it comes to becoming a mentor or a teacher. There is nothing more inspiring to a student than seeing how excited your teacher is to learn — and often these types of teachers do learn a lot from their students!

For any healthcare professionals who are looking to learn, ProMed Certifications offers online ACLS, PALS, BLS, and CPR certification courses. All courses have a 100% money-back guarantee and meet AHA and ILCOR guidelines. Complete your certifications on your own time and continue on your journey to becoming a healthcare leader.