According to the latest trends, more than 1.9 million new cancer cases are expected in 2022. Unfortunately, labor shortages and ever-evolving reimbursement models will make caring for cancer patients even more challenging in the coming years. Therefore, it will most likely hinge on effective leadership development to provide your patients with the kind of care they deserve. However, not every doctor, nurse, or medical technician is a natural-born leader. Instead, it takes focused training to develop the skills necessary to lead others.
We’ll help you better understand the seven components of fostering effective leadership development in your oncology team members. Then, you can decide which areas of leadership success training to incorporate into your unique environment.
1. Break Down Stubborn Barriers
All team members should be comfortable bringing potential problems to the rest of the team. But unfortunately, barriers to important communication still exist within many oncology practices.
It’s vital to stress to all staff members that communication is essential to your clinic’s success, no matter at what level, to combat this problem. Nurses and technicians shouldn’t be afraid to point out potential conflicts, especially during patient care.
2. Emphasize Efficiency
Keep your oncology management meetings to a minimum. When they do become necessary, keep them short and on target. Also, it’s best not to let any employee hijack this critical function. Stay on point and end the meeting as soon as you accomplish your objectives.
3. Utilize a Hands-on Approach
Too many leadership success books emphasize the avoidance of “micromanaging employees.” Unfortunately, this hands-off approach has led to egregious mismanagement in all areas of leadership in the past 30 years.
Instead, make yourself available throughout the day. Check up on team members and offer support as necessary. An occasional pat on the back is what subordinates need to feel valued in the workplace.
4. Be Dependable
Your team members rely on you to answer the most pressing problems quickly. Therefore, utilize your advanced technical abilities while making important decisions. Being decisive and direct will earn a subordinate’s respect without ever asking for it.
5. Show Empathy
Showing empathy to a cancer patient is easy. However, it becomes more of a challenge when overworked employees become grumpy and complain.
At some point, you will have to deal with worker shortages. Again, showing you understand and care for the employee will set you apart from other administrators. This can be as simple as utilizing creative scheduling to give exhausted staff members a much-needed break.
6. Add Value to the Workspace
So many people rush home from work because they feel trapped inside a bland environment. Too often, their workspace is flooded with fluorescent lighting, or the office environment seems too cold and unfeeling.
Try making your clinic more inviting by utilizing warm colors throughout. Throw a couch in the breakroom instead of relying on a few tables and chairs.
Softer lighting, where practical, can also add a sense of warmth to an otherwise cold environment. Your employees will appreciate it, and so will your patients.
7. Present Your Vision to Your Team
The most vital aspect of any business is its mission statement, and that also goes for your oncology practice. However, it must be in writing for everyone to see.
Once you have a clear vision in writing, it’s time to share it with your staff. That means everyone, down to the employees who clean the facility during the evening.
Something magical happens by getting your leadership structure on board with your mission statement. They take ownership of the clinic, and you no longer have to prompt anyone to go above and beyond what you expect when providing patient-centric care.
The Takeaway
Leadership development success depends on combining several strategies within a leadership structure. Hopefully, you now have a starting point for discussion with your team members. Contact us to learn more about oncology management and how oncology practices can benefit from joining the Verdi Network.