Thomas McGrath, Director of Planning at Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University

In this episode Thomas McGrath, Director of Planning at Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, shares some of his rules to lead organizations & live by - what he calls “Tom-isms”.

Summary

Tom-isms: Rules to Lead Organizations and Live By

In this episode, Thomas McGrath, Director of Planning at Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, shares some of his rules to lead organizations & live by - what he calls "Tom-isms".

Great Ones Adjust

Tom McGrath talks about his rule to live by, "Great Ones Adjust", and why it's important to recognize when a situation changes. It's crucial to adjust your plans and strategies accordingly to achieve success. He emphasizes the significance of recognizing when a plan isn't working, making adjustments, and taking action.

Beware of the Good Idea Syndrome

The concept of "Beware of the Good Idea Syndrome" is essential when leading an organization. It's crucial to understand the importance of limiting scope, perfecting the enemy of good, and recognizing when it's time to execute on the plan you have. Focus on the most critical priorities and avoid getting sidetracked by good ideas that aren't in line with the organization's main goals.

The One-Third, One-Third, One-Third Rule

Managing a hundred million dollars is different than managing five million because it offers more flexibility and scale. When leading an organization, one should adhere to the "one-third, one-third, one-third" rule: one-third of work should be production (what you went to school for and are trained to do), one-third should be creative (how can you advance the institution forward), and one-third should be scut work (which everyone needs to do). Strive for optimal performance by getting between too little and too much of something to achieve maximum value.

The Importance of Humor and Balance

Tom McGrath is a great leader at Weill Cornell who believes in the importance of humor and balance when it comes to leading an organization. Inject humor into conversations to underscore a point, win the war even if you lose a battle, and avoid using phones during meetings. To lead an organization successfully, one should focus on striking a balance between work and other aspects of life.

 

Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com

 

This episode aired on 11/25/2022 and can be listened here.

 

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