Here, three successful hospital and health system executives pick the best piece of advice that they’ve heard throughout their careers.
Gene Michalski. President and CEO of Beaumont Health System (Royal Oak, Mich.): There are three pieces in my case. The first is that the patient should be at the center of the conversation — always.
The second is that when thinking about career and career aspirations, think two levels above your current level, not one. Basically, you need to think like your boss’s boss and not your boss.
The last one is built around game theory. Keep in mind that people always know what they want, but they don’t know what they don’t want. For each of your alternatives in a decision, ask yourself the question, “What is it that I don’t want?” Sometimes you will find that you will pick the alternative that is more risky but provides greater benefits and opportunities.
Nathan Tudor. CEO of Beauregard Memorial Hospital (DeRidder, La.): The best advice I’ve ever received about being a hospital leader is always put the patient first. If you put the patient first, everything else will fall into place. My focus is on kindness, compassion and common sense. If these are at the forefront, you will see very positive results. I always try to put myself or someone in my family in the patient’s shoes. Really, it’s the golden rule: treat people how you want to be treated.
Julie Ward. CFO of Tahlequah City Hospital (Tahlequah, Okla.): The best piece of advice that applies to the current environment came from my grandmother: “A person is only as strong as their ability to adapt.” It seems very appropriate in an industry that is changing at a rapid pace with no end in sight.
Do you have a great piece of advice you’d like to share? Email Becker’s Hospital Review Assistant Editor Heather Punke at hpunke@beckershealthcare.com.
