The physician as leader

Emotional intelligence

A survey of business senior managers rated the qualities found in the most outstanding leaders. Using objective criteria like profitability the study psychologists interviewed the highest-rated leaders to compare their capabilities. While intellects and cognitive skills were important, the results showed that emotional intelligence (EI) was twice as important as technical skills and IQ.¹⁰ As an example, in a 1996 study, when senior managers had an optimal level of EI, their division’s yearly earnings were 20% higher than estimated.¹¹

EI is a leadership competency that deals with the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and your interactions with others.¹⁰ At the Cleveland Clinic, EI is exemplified by the acronym HEART, whereby the team strives to improve the patient experience, mainly when an error occurs. The health care team is using EI by showing its the ability to Hear, Empathize, Apologize, Reply, and Thank. When an untoward event occurs, the physician, as the leader of the team, must lead by example when communicating with staff and patients. EI consists of five components (Table 2).¹³

• Self-awareness is insight by which you can improve. Maintaining a journal of your daily thoughts may assist with this as well as simply pausing to pay attention during times of heightened emotions.
• Self-regulation shows control, that is, behaving according to your values, and being accountable and calm when challenged.
• Purpose, knowing your “why,” produces motivation and helps maintain optimism.
• Empathy shows the ability to understand the emotions of other people.
• Social skill is the ability to establish mutually rewarding relationships.

Given all the above benefits, it is no surprise that companies are actively trying use artificial intelligence to improve EI.¹²

Learning to be a leader

In medical school, students are expected to develop skills to handle and resolve conflicts, learn to share leadership, take mutual responsibility, and monitor their own performance.¹³ Although training of young physicians in leadership is not unprecedented, a systemic review revealed a lack of analytic studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching methods.¹⁴ During undergraduate medical education, standard curricula and methods of instruction on leadership are not established, resulting in variable outcomes.

The Association of American Medical Colleges offers a curriculum, “Preparing Medical Students to Be Physician Leaders: A Leadership Training Program for Students Designed and Led by Students.”¹⁵ The objectives of this training are to help students identify their “personal style of leadership, recognize strengths and weaknesses, utilize effective communication strategies, appropriately delegate team member responsibilities, and provide constructive feedback to help improve team function.”

Take-home points

Following the completion of formal medical education, physicians are thrust into leadership roles. The key to being an effective leader is using EI to mentor the team and make staff feel connected to the team’s meaning and purpose, so they feel valued.

Dr. Trolice is director of The IVF Center in Winter Park, Fla., and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Central Florida, Orlando.

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