Top Ten Medical Practice Leadership Qualities

What kind of leadership qualities do you look for in your office staff? It is particularly important to search out certain qualities for those being considered for leadership positions in your office, especially if you aren't actively involved in managing your clinic (which you should be, but that is for another day).

Here is what you should look for:

1. Past success at leadership: This can be the best predictor for future successful leadership.

2. Mental toughness: Leaders are often criticized and have a separation from their peers. It is important that the leader you select is mentally tough. This can be determined in part by how someone reacts in high pressure situations and how they react to constructive criticism.

3. Mental agility: This is someone who is able to think on her feet, enact spontaneous solutions to issues.

4. Integrity and loyalty: These two are on the list together for obvious reasons. It may seem like common sense, but even if you think someone is honest with you but you witness them being dishonest or disloyal to with others, think twice about putting them in a leadership position in your clinic.

5. Communication skills: An effective leader must communicate clearly with you and the staff he is charged with. Keep in mind that this may mean different things for different departments and offices as there are different styles of communication.

6. Endurance: Great leaders possesses endurance. This means they have sticking power to stay the course when making difficult changes that bring solutions to problems.

7. Nurturing style: A good leader nurtures others to be successful at and unlocks their full potential.

8. A love of learning: Real leaders are always learning and growing. Leaders in your clinic should be able to perform every job function in your clinic, and smile doing it.

9. A dislike of gossip: A good leader is committed to making your office a no-gossip zone.

10. An open-door policy: Good leaders have an open office, and aren't sitting in it often. Just the same as your receptionist should not have a barrier between herself and the waiting room, a good leader is not locked up in his or her office all day.  

There are some leadership skills that can be learned over time, but these basics should be present in anyone considered for leadership in your clinic, don't wait on them to develop these basic qualities. Having great leadership can make all the difference in profitability and customer service.