As physicians, we are required to navigate the complexities of leading teams and organizations in challenging environments, which is why I believe self-awareness is the cornerstone of successful leadership. Understanding ourselves and our impact on others is not just valuable, it’s indispensable. In this blog, I will share how self-awareness impacts physician leadership.
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
Research by Gardner et al. (2005) highlights the connection between emotional intelligence and effective leadership, with self-awareness emerging as a fundamental component. Leaders who possess a deep understanding of their own emotions are better equipped to navigate interpersonal dynamics and inspire their teams toward success.
Conversely, leaders lacking self-awareness may find themselves unwittingly embodying toxic and destructive leadership traits (Fonseca et al., 2022). This underscores the sobering reality that a lack of self-awareness hinders personal growth and jeopardizes leadership outcomes. It’s clear that cultivating self-awareness isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for steering clear of leadership pitfalls.
Understanding Behavior and Personality
Self-awareness empowers leaders to comprehend their behavior, personality, emotions, strengths, and weaknesses (Thapa et al., 2023). With this insight, leaders can make informed decisions, adapt their approach to different situations, and foster environments conducive to collaboration and growth.
Authentic leadership, characterized by transparency, integrity, and genuine connection, thrives in the presence of self-awareness. When leaders are authentically themselves and lead with their values, they inspire trust and loyalty and build meaningful and strong relationships.
Impact On Team Members
The ripple effects of self-awareness extend beyond individual leadership prowess to influence team members’ attitudes and performance (Moshavi et al., 2003). Leaders who demonstrate self-awareness foster environments of psychological safety and empowerment, where team members feel valued and motivated to excel. By understanding their strengths and limitations, leaders can effectively leverage their team’s talents, driving collaborative achievement and a growth mindset culture.
As leaders in healthcare, our ability to understand ourselves shapes our ability to inspire, influence, and lead teams and patients effectively. By embracing self-awareness as an ongoing journey, we unlock the full potential of our leadership and the potential of those around us.
Resources:
- Gardner, L., & Stough, C. (2002). Examining the relationship between leadership and emotional intelligence in senior level managers. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 23(2), 68-78.
- Fonseca, D. P., Mayer, D. M., & Campbell, C. D. (2022). The dark side of leadership: A review and agenda for future research. Journal of Management, 48(1), 53-87.
- Thapa, S., Raghuram, S., & Arora, A. (2023). The role of self-awareness in leadership effectiveness: A review and synthesis. Leadership Quarterly, 34(1), 101362.
- Gavin, Matt. “Authentic Leadership: What It Is & Why It’s Important.” Harvard Business School Online, 10 Dec. 2019, online.hbs.edu/blog/post/authentic-leadership.
- Moshavi, D., Martin, M. M., & Kim, Y. J. (2003). Toward a contingency model of leadership and psychological empowerment: When should self-leadership be encouraged?. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 9(4), 22-32.
Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, PCC
Jeff is the founder of SurgeonMasters, a practicing Orthopaedic Traumatologist, and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He has more than 800 hours of one-on-one surgeon coaching experience and 500+ hours of accredited coach training.
You can find his thoughts about the practice of medicine in the SurgeonMasters blog and as the host of the SurgeonMasters Podcast, Life Improvement Strategies for the Surgeon Who Wants More… in 10 Minutes.