It can be lonely at the top, but it doesn’t have to be. Health care professionals who excel at patient care often go on to lead teams without any training on core managerial responsibilities such as finance and conflict resolution. This can feel like a sudden shift with little preparation. Kirsten Meisinger, MD, MHCDS, Harvard Medical School instructor in medicine at Cambridge Health Alliance and clinical lead for leadership and system transformation in the HMS Center for Primary Care, directs the Medical Director Leadership Institute (MDLI). It’s a program aimed at supporting leaders through education and building community. We sat down with her to get her thoughts on leadership training.
What makes MDLI unique?
There are a couple of things that make MDLI unique. One is the diversity of participants and what they bring to the course. Participants and faculty hold a variety of positions—physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and health administrators who work in various specialties and health care sectors. We all work together in the real world, so we should train that way as well. A leadership program that incorporates diverse perspectives is an efficient and effective way to develop leadership skills. Participants have a wonderful opportunity to network with other emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Another aspect that makes MDLI unique is the format. This program was created for emerging leaders who may be in their first or second leadership positions. These leaders are among the busiest people, so we’ve structured the course with that in mind. It’s all virtual and meets twice a month. We also post all the course recordings and presentations online, so if something comes up at the clinic, it’s ok. We understand the challenges and have designed a program that makes it possible to participate despite those challenges.
What is the biggest misconception about leadership training?
It is a common misperception that a single leadership course can make one a great leader. However, leadership is best learned by doing—so we take a longitudinal approach with periods of action. For example, course faculty cover a topic in the first session of the month. Then participants try to implement that lesson in their work. We come together virtually at the end of the month to discuss how it went. Many times there are challenges in a health system that feel unique, but someone in a different system is experiencing a similar situation. We can learn from one another and offer support.
Can leadership be taught? Is there an element of it that is innate?
Leadership can be taught. It’s not uncommon for clinicians to experience identity challenges after moving to a leadership role. People may always see themselves as first and foremost a clinician. We don’t need to change that, but we do want leaders to feel confident and comfortable in their role. We surveyed 2023-24 MDLI course participants before the course began and again after its completion. The number of participants who strongly agreed that they saw themselves as a leader increased by 35 percent over that time period. While gaining the confidence and skills to see oneself as a leader happens on the individual level, it can affect an entire organization. Research shows that investing in leadership development leads to the advancement of transformation and improvement initiatives. The most important thing participants bring to the course is the desire to make the changes necessary to their individual styles and gifts to grow as a leader.
Why are you passionate about this work?
Leadership can be lonely, and creating communities where leaders have a safe place to grow and develop is an incredibly rewarding activity.
What outcomes have you seen from the program?
One of the most powerful parts of this program is the community that the participants create with each other. We actively maintain those connections for a full year after the program ends. People continue to learn from each other. That's a powerful force for change for the better in health care.
If someone is even thinking about signing up for MDLI, they should. Because it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day challenges and forget to invest in yourself. When a leader takes a development course, it helps them thrive in their role, which benefits the whole team.
**Feature photo obtained with a standard license on Shutterstock.
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