On October 10th, Matthew will serve on the panel “HIT Security & Privacy: Best Practices and Key Issues” at Becker’s Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference. As part of an ongoing series, Becker’s is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place October 9-12, 2019 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Matthew’s session, click here.
Question: What is the No. 1 principle you uphold and practice to effectively lead a team?
Matthew Grob: I don’t know everything. Just because I have a higher title and some more experience than my team members, does not mean that I am always right. Everyone has different skills, knowledge, experience, and perspective that they bring with them. Consequently, by letting my team know they are free to challenge or disagree with me, it enables them. They bring new ideas to the table. They teach me something. It makes us more effective as a team. That’s a win-win for everyone.
Q: As a leader, how do you stay connected to the actual work that is being done – and not just by watching others execute, but by executing yourself? If so, how do you balance between leading and executing personally?
MG: That’s a tough one because historically, I have been the person who said, “Just let me do it.” I was too connected to the work and that then didn’t leave me time to lead. I have gotten better at delegating, though it’s still not my instinct. And then I learned the difference between “help” and “support.” I had been helping – doing something for another instead of them doing it. Now I support – doing something that contributes to someone’s capability. That has a twofold effect. First, it keeps me in touch with what’s going on. It still gives me a chance to roll up my sleeves. Second, it enables my team and my colleagues.
Q: What does healthcare need more of? Less of?
MG: We need more business influence in many of our non-clinical processes. The lack of efficiency and efficacy that still exists (and its resultant loss in productivity and patient, staff, and provider satisfaction) would never be tolerated in most business environments. Does the private sector have more to invest in such endeavors? Sure. That doesn’t mean we can’t learn from and do what we can in healthcare towards process improvement.
We need less paper. That sounds counterintuitive in this digital age, but there is still a lot about what we do that involves paper. Don’t even get me started on how many fax machines still exist in provider organizations. I had an MRI a few months ago for some back trouble. I asked my doctor’s office for a hard copy of the report for my physical therapist. It was a lengthy report, and they gave me two copies. I asked why two copies, and they responded – “Oh, that’s just the way it always prints.”
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
