From the October 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine

The ability to communicate across the organization is one of those skill sets that can be taken for granted. It’s critical that everyone understands where your organization is going and how important it is to solve for that important cost quality equation. That communication can foster strong relationships among functional areas, e.g., finance and operations, and organizations across the continuum of care.

4. Empower your team
Closely tied to communication is the ability to empower your team. This is actually one of the top two areas that health care board directors identify as key to executive success. There is increased attention on the ability of CEOs to mentor and develop internal talent. The other is sharing leadership and delegation skills. You simply can’t make it all happen by force of will or personality. Provide the leadership for good decision making and empower those throughout your organization to exponentially move toward the actions and outcomes needed for success.
5. Never underestimate the power of culture
There is ample evidence that there is a link between culture and business results. The challenge is that it takes leadership. Great cultures are adaptable to changing circumstances whether it’s reform or acquisitions. This isn’t human resources job; it’s a CEO’s skillful ability to involve the entire organization in a focused direction. As Peter Drucker so wisely stated, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

In this environment of change CEOs have an opportunity to lead not only their own organizations but the industry as well. These five skills can be a strategic asset to CEOs and other senior executives as they navigate today’s 21st century hospital.

About the author: Bruce Johnson is CEO and president of GHX the world’s largest electronic trading exchange for healthcare, which brings together provider, manufacturer, distributor and group purchasing organizations in a collaborative and connected community designed to improve efficiencies, visibility and accuracy in the healthcare supply chain. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and his master’s in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

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