As I prepare to retire as president and CEO of Lee Health, I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on what leadership means — and what responsibility a leader has when it is time to step away.
I’ve come to believe that one of the most important responsibilities of a leader is preparing an organization for what’s next.
That means understanding that leadership is never about one person. It is about building a culture and a team strong enough to continue moving forward when the person at the top changes.
Throughout my career at Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside extraordinary people. They have challenged me, supported me and, most importantly, shared a commitment to caring for the people and communities we serve. The strength of this organization has always come from those people — not from any one leader.
That is why preparing for succession cannot begin when a retirement is announced. It is something leaders should be thinking about throughout their tenure. It means developing the next generation of leaders and creating opportunities for people to grow, take on responsibility, and make decisions. It means recognizing the value of systems and processes that don’t depend on one individual. And, most importantly, it means creating and sustaining a culture with a shared purpose, so every team member understands and is grounded in the meaning behind the work.
Lee Health’s culture is strong, and it has endured through challenges and change.
A leadership transition also requires confidence in what comes next, and I am tremendously confident in Lee Health’s future, especially as Ben Spence, MHA, takes the helm.
Like me, Ben has committed decades of his life to our health system and shares a sincere appreciation for our teams, patients, and community. I know Ben will not be a replica of me or my leadership, just as I wasn’t a replica of the president and CEO who came before me. And that is how it should be.
Organizations benefit when leaders build on what came before while also looking ahead and identifying where change is needed.
For me, that is an important part of how I think about retirement. I’m proud of what we have accomplished during my time at Lee Health, but I’m even more proud of the people and the organization that will carry the work forward.
There is always more work to do in healthcare. The needs of our communities continue to evolve. Technology continues to change how we deliver care. Expectations from patients and team members continue to grow.
Preparing an organization for what’s next means making sure it has the people, culture, and capacity to meet those challenges.
Ultimately, a leader’s legacy isn’t simply what happens during his or her tenure.
It is whether the organization is stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for the future because you were there.
That is what I hope to leave behind at Lee Health: not an organization defined by one leader or one chapter, but one prepared to write its next chapter — and all the chapters that follow.
Dr. Antonucci is president and CEO of Lee Health.
