From the March 2015 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
HCBN: What negative traits should you watch out for in a leader?
JL: High on the list: narcissistic behavior, being risk-averse, being too reliant on technology to communicate effectively, lack of reliance (on others) and not owning a mistake. People will not trust a leader who is not secure enough to be vulnerable when the need arises.
HCBN: For those interested in pursuing a career in management and administration, will the health care sector still offer a good career path?
JL: Definitely, yes. Of the 250 MHA students in the MCV program at which I taught, all went on to be well employed. I hear back from many of them on a regular basis. I would say about eight to 10 in each class of 25 went onto to serve as CEOs.
HCBN: What do you recommend to leaders or leaders-to-be as the single most important thing they can do to prepare themselves for the challenge?
JL: Establish a life vision. This starts by being really honest with yourself, because you can’t serve others as a leader if you don’t know yourself. For example, no one likes conflict, but good leaders know how to manage and resolve conflict in a healthy way that is advantageous to the organization. And this, like other leadership skills, can be learned.
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