Volume 2 no 4

Complexities in Physician Leadership

Volume 2 Number 4 In This Issue

Panarchy, the collapse of the Canadian health care system, and physician leadership

Johny Van Aerde, MD, PhD

The structured part of the Canadian health care system — hospital and medical services — has probably reached maturity and is on a cycle toward collapse. However, the “creative destruction” that is part of the panarchy model may lead to transformation of the system, with survival of some components and the disappearance of others. Are we, as physicians and leaders, prepared to take on the challenges that will accompany the collapse of the system as we know it? read article

Mediocre leaders fix weakness, great leaders leverage strengths

Paul Mohapel, PhD

This article explores strength-based approaches to physician leadership. The nature and impact of strengths are addressed and differentiated from those of weaknesses. Recent research demonstrates how paying attention to intrinsic strengths is the key to exceptional performance and innovation, while the conventional wisdom of fixing weaknesses is ultimately ineffective and leads to mediocrity. read article

Leadership tools for transformation: complaints, conflict, and core motivation

Shawn Whatley

Leaders often begrudge time spent on “negative” work, such as dealing with complaints. It steals resources from positive change efforts. This article explores how complaints, conflict, and core motivation offer powerful tools for positive transformation. read article

Medical leadership: the case in the literature

Graham Dickson, PhD

This look at three recent articles reveals the need for strong physician leadership. New models of physician involvement are required to engage physicians more in leadership roles, and robust physician leadership development efforts are vital.

read article