Leadership is defined in many different ways. There are various factors that are considered, layered nuances that are taken into account, when it comes to defining what leadership truly is. Beyond that, there are many different styles of leadership that can either result in the success or the failure of a company. Of course, this is dependent on how adaptable and susceptible to change the leadership style is.
I firmly believe that one’s leadership style must grow together with a company. I recognize that to be an effective leader and achieve success for your team and company, adaptability is key. In the initial days when The Spring and Heights Hospital team was considerably smaller, it was feasible to have a more personal approach towards my team because I was able to set aside the time to get to know each of them, beyond just their name and title. However, as the company expanded and the team grew, it proved more difficult to get to know every new addition. These changes also brought about a set of issues; one in particular was miscommunication. With more people being added onto my team, there was more room for miscommunication across the departments. I recognized that in order to overcome these new sets of issues, I had to adapt my leadership style to the company’s growth and the changes that inevitably came with it.
There are five key characteristics of my leadership style. The first being indirect management. Going from a flat hierarchy to a vertical hierarchy, it’s important that you develop a team of strong managers. I would emphasize that you have to choose individuals who have the necessary qualities to be a strong manager. It’s important to have confidence and trust in them to make decisions. Being a leader means being able to identify your team’s attributes, especially their strengths and weaknesses, and delegate tasks and duties to them accordingly. However, doing so does not provide the opportunity to be absolved of any responsibilities simply because you know you have dependable people. After all, it is a leader’s responsibility to keep track of what decisions are being made. Yes, you should be able to take a step back and give your managers the space to make decisions and do their job without micromanaging them, but you should also be proactive in following up on what decisions were made.
The second key characteristic of my leadership style is managing perception. I understand
the significance of managing how you’re perceived by your team. While it’s not uncommon to feel disconnected from your team the bigger it gets, it’s important to be aware and cautious of it to avoid feelings of intimidation arising. In order to work efficiently and effectively, you have to address and eliminate that wall. You have to put in the effort to make people feel comfortable to come to you with both the good and the bad. Bridging that disconnect can help reassure your team that questions aren’t judgements and suggestions aren’t orders. It promotes a healthy, open line of communication between you and every member of your team.
Leaders are involved in making various decisions within a company and are expected to handle all the topics that need to be addressed in a timely manner. This is why being able to manage constantly switching topics is an essential characteristic in leadership. Because there are a plethora of decisions being made on a daily basis, I am acutely aware of the possibility of making bad decisions simply because not enough thought was given to them. I acknowledge that when several different topics demand your attention, it can be easy to make decisions in haste for the sake of checking things off your list. A good countermeasure I like to take is planning out what my day looks like on my calendar, either the night before or the morning of. Being organized and paying attention to the details on my calendar helps me keep track of everything that needs to be done in a day, which in turn facilitates a workflow that moves at a constant, productive pace. When there’s an efficient plan in place which is being thought out already, there’s no rush to address one topic in order to get to the others.
Time management skills are perhaps one of the most valuable skills to possess as a leader. Remembering to value your time is important in being able to lead successfully, and it is another central component of good leadership. I would encourage utilizing the team of managers you’ve developed, and delegating certain tasks and duties to them, so that you may turn your attention to the things that truly demand it. You always have to consider where your time will be best spent for the good of the company. Understand what your time is worth!
Perhaps the most critical factor in leadership is the ability to both lead and manage. You cannot be a leader without being a manager, nor a manager without being a leader. I believe that you should be seen as a leader to the majority while simultaneously being a manager to your closest executive team. Understanding and remembering how closely intertwined being a leader and a manager are is what will eventually impact your performance and lead you, your team, and your company to success.
Founded in 2017, Spring Hospital has served thousands of residents in its locality, consistently garnering reviews and ratings higher than the larger, more established competitors in its region. Spring Hospital is popular with both patients and doctors due to its superior level of service and flexibility. In February of 2022, The Heights Hospital opened as the second location in the The Spring and Heights Hospital group. Serving one of Houston’s largest and most diverse communities, The Heights Hospital has been experiencing growing numbers of patients, while maintaining the superior level of quality service established by Spring. I, along with my team, are also currently in the process of opening new facilities in the Houston area. From a community hospital in a suburb of Houston to a network of healthcare facilities across the Greater Houston area, the Spring + Heights Hospital system has experienced remarkable growth and success.