Literature Review

Leaders shouldn't try to do it all - Many important tasks can be done by other people. Focus on what you can do a lot better than anyone else.Harvard Business Review; by A.G. Lafley, Roger L. Martin; Jan-Feb 2025Leaders shouldn't spend their scarce time on activities simply because they are very important. They should do only the things that nobody else in the organization can do nearly as well - if at all. And they should spend as much of their time as possible on them.Publisher's note: Accessing article may require subscription or purchasing the issue.

How to give physicians autonomy—and protect them from burnout American Medical Association (AMA); by Georgia Garvey; 7/1/25 Almost everyone appreciates having autonomy at work. But when physicians spend more than a decade in high-stakes and grueling medical training, only to enter practice with virtually no control over their work environment, schedule or day, it can lead to the kind of spiraling frustration that often turns into burnout or leaving the profession entirely. “It’s one of those things where the more you try to micromanage a physician’s schedule, the more a feeling of distrust you give to the physicians ...” said Jill Jin, MD, MPH, an internist and senior physician adviser for the AMA, one of the authors of the AMA STEPS Forward® “Value of Feeling Valued Playbook.” ... Though the percentages of those experiencing burnout have declined from the peak during the COVID-19 public health emergency, 43.2% of physicians still say they have at least one symptom of burnout.  ... When physicians feel valued—... as competent professionals who have devoted immense time and energy to becoming experts at their jobs—it is proven to be positively associated with lower levels of burnout.

I've managed 260 employees — Here's how to tell if your leadership style is actually workingEntrepreneur; by Amy M Chambers; 6/25/25These six clues always predict whether or not there's strong leadership nearby. If you don't see these six things, poor leadership isn't far. [Including:]

How do I adapt my leadership as my company grows?Harvard Business Review podcast; by Muriel Wilkins; 6/16/25She’s an entrepreneur who has led her company to a fair amount of success. After recently hitting a roadblock, she’s hired new talent and is looking to position her company for continued growth. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through how to adjust her leadership to keep pace with her growing business.

The hidden skill that separates great leaders Forbes; by Cicely Simpson; 6/13/25 The most important communication lesson you’ll learn in your career is often overlooked. And it’s not what you think. Being in rooms with world leaders and hundreds of CEOs for the past 25 years has taught me one lesson about communication that stands out above all: Everything matters in context. Most people assume great communication is about being clear. And while clarity is crucial, it’s not enough. What truly elevates your leadership is your ability to communicate with context.

The best leaders are spacious leaders. Here’s what that meansFastCompany; by Tracy Brower; 6/2/25A helpful concept is spacious leadership—a management approach in which you create space for others to participate, make choices, and be their best. With spacious leadership, you also ensure space for yourself to enhance your own effectiveness and satisfaction on the job. [Article discusses:]

NorthStar Care Community launches 'Life's Big Moments' campaign to initiate nationwide conversation about end-of-life hospice care PR Newswire, Ann Arbor, MI; by NorthStar Care Community; 5/19/25 NorthStar Care Community has launched Life's Big Moments, a campaign that celebrates the beauty of life's journey from the big milestones to the small, everyday moments that leave the deepest impact on our well-being and purpose. The campaign aims to initiate conversation and awareness around end-of-life care while also raising money to benefit the members of NorthStar Care Community. Companies, organizations, and individuals are invited to support these efforts throughout the campaign, focusing on recognizing the needs of our Veterans.

Why did you choose to become a nurse?Yuma Sun, Yuma, AZ; by James Gilbert; 5/5/25 In honor of National Nurses Week, the Yuma Sun is proud to celebrate the dedicated nurses who serve our community with compassion, strength and resilience. ... To mark this special week, we asked nurses from across Yuma a simple but powerful question: Why did you choose to become a nurse? Their answers reflect the heart of the profession—stories of inspiration, personal sacrifice and a deep commitment to caring for others.

Small acts of kindness can change someone’s world MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Jake Rattner; 4/26/25 So much of the world is centered around looking out for ourselves. We get caught up in our own problems, our own routines, and sometimes, we forget to stop and think about what someone else might be going through. ... But when we step outside of our own lives, even just for a moment, we start to see the bigger picture. ... In the end, it’s the simple things that matter. A conversation, a smile, a moment of recognition—these things can change someone’s entire day, even if you don’t realize it. ... Because sometimes, the best medicine isn’t even medicine—it’s just knowing that someone cares.

5 things every leader can learn from Pope Francis  Inc., by Suzanne Lucas; 4/21/25 He led the world’s largest organization with humility and a willingness to engage with different groups and hear different viewpoints. ...  [Pope Francis' death marks] the end of a papacy that influenced far more than just the Catholic Church. In his 12 years as pope, he led with a style that offers enduring leadership lessons for anyone in a position of authority, especially in business. ... While I’m not Catholic, I have followed his work in the 12 years he’s served as pope, and there are plenty of things you can learn about his leadership of the Catholic Church and apply in your life and business.

What’s driving health system investment in Gen Z leadership Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 4/15/25 With an aging workforce and looming executive retirements, building leadership pipelines early is more important than ever, Jason Gilbert, PhD, RN, chief nurse executive at Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health, told Becker’s. It is especially important given Generation Z’s strong interest in early career development. “Gen Z is actively seeking development, and if you do not provide them that opportunity, they are going to look for someone who is,” he said. While their ambitions may not be entirely different from those of earlier generations, their expectations of employers are, he added. ... “Feedback is very important to Gen Z employees,” she said. “They’re interested in personalized coaching and mentoring, and they want to be a part of the solution and have an expectation around communication and frequent, actionable feedback.”

Being a high-performer CEO isn’t enough. True leadership involves empathyFastCompany; by John Connors; 4/10/25This moment calls for executives who can balance strong analytical skills with emotional intelligence. The CEO’s role is evolving. Private equity is playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the expectations, performance, and tenure of CEOs. The financial environment is also changing, with influence increasingly moving from public markets to private capital... In this landscape, CEOs are increasingly being measured by their ability to generate financial returns. But true leadership requires hitting more than financial targets. The most effective leaders understand that long-term success depends on balancing financial acumen with empathetic leadership. Those who fail to adapt risk becoming transactional managers rather than transformational leaders. Understanding this shift and defining one’s leadership approach is more critical now than ever.

Transforming communities through leadership with Quint Studer Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Quint Studer; 4/9/25In this episode, Chris sits down with Quint Studer, Founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group and one of his most trusted mentors, to dive deep into the transformation of Pensacola, Florida.  Quint reveals his powerful framework for community change, sharing essential leadership insights and the challenges of driving real transformation. From the importance of active participation to fostering a growth-driven culture, Quint offers valuable wisdom on leadership, change management, and empowering others.  He emphasizes the need for effective communication, ownership, and a positive mindset in organizations.  He encourages leaders to focus on creating memorable experiences and fostering a culture of learning and growth, this episode is a must-listen!