Leadership lessons From... a Doctor

Acute medical consultant Dr Ayo Olatoye shares insights into leadership from his time working on the hospital floor.

Key Takeaways: leadership lessons from a doctor

• Leadership is service. A leader's job is to create an environment where others can thrive. One day, you won't be there.
• Decision-making tools are essential. In high-pressure situations, we lose situational awareness. Decision-making frameworks reduce the risk of poor decisions.
• Understand the downsides. A leadership position isn't just about more money and prestige. So count the cost and make sure you're ready for more responsibility.
• Don't forget self-care. To be the best leader, you need to take care of yourself. If you burn out, you can't help anyone.

Let's Act: lead like a doctor

When the pressure is on, sometimes it's hard to think straight. Decision-making techniques lead to better decisions in critical situations.

So make this commitment today:

• Improve your decision making by using a framework.

What kind of decisions do you make on a daily basis? How do you currently make your decisions? Could there be a better method?

Explore these Mindtools resources on decision making to find techniques and strategies for improving decision making:

• Quiz: How Good Is Your Decision Making?
• Article: Top Tips for Sensitive Decision Making
• Article: The Ladder of Inference
• Article: The TDODAR Decision Model
• Video: High-Stakes Decision Making
• E-learning: Effective Decision-Making