DEVELOP THESE 5 COMPETENCIES FOR SENIOR HEALTH LEADERSHIP SUCCESS: TRANSFORM YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE STRATEGIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP (SHELDR) FRAMEWORK

BLIP-ZIP Summary

Health and human services sector leaders often need help developing the Strategic Health Leadership (SHELDR) competencies, which are essential for success. These competencies include Strategic Thinking, Communication and influence, Collaboration and teamwork, Decision-Making and Risk Management, Resilience and adaptability, and Leadership with Purpose and Integrity. To succeed, leaders must master these competencies, embrace continuous learning, seek mentorship, and engage in professional development opportunities. Emerging leaders, often called “high potentials,” must develop these competencies to inspire and lead purposefully. The top reasons for senior leader derailment include:

1. Inability to build high-performing teams,
2. Lack of strategic thinking,
3. Poor communication and interpersonal skills,
4. Ethical lapses, and
5. Resistance to change.

By embracing the SHELDR framework, leaders can build high-performing teams, make impactful decisions, and lead with integrity.

Introduction

Many emerging leaders, often dubbed “high potentials,” aspire to senior or strategic-level positions throughout their careers. However, only some understand the characteristics or developmental processes required to position themselves for such roles. Few achieve those levels. Many are confused, too. Before we move on, let’s define emerging, high-potential, and strategic leadership:

1. Emerging leader: An individual who has demonstrated strong performance, potential, and leadership qualities and can take on greater responsibilities in the future.
2. High potential leader: An emerging leader who has been identified as having exceptional talent and the abiolitytial to reach the highest levels of an organization.
3. Strategic leader: A leader who can think and act in a long-term, big-picture way, setting the direction for an organization and making decisions that will significantly impact its future. A strategic health leader (SHELDR) is employed in the human and human services sector.

In reality, it takes more than having a sponsor, a robust LinkedIn network, or a charismatic personality to be identified as an emerging leader to watch. Rise above the “high potential” crowd. Refrain from settling for a robust LinkedIn profile or charming charisma. Invest in continuous learning: seek mentorship, embrace feedback, and pursue development opportunities to hone your SHELDR skills and transform into a truly inspiring leader.

The image is based on an article by John C. Maxwell that summarizes six traits emerging leaders (possibly aspiring senior leaders) have—character, people skills, knowledge, emotional intelligence, solid track record or reputation, and energy or resilience.

But what do these traits or competencies entail? To answer this question, you might want to answer these questions:

1. What do these traits mean regarding knowledge, behaviors, skills, and attributes—competencies?
2. What are some examples of leaders with these traits or competencies?
3. What are the potential downsides of not having these competencies and their effects on individuals and the organization?
4. How can one develop these traits or improve their leadership competencies at both the operational and strategic levels? Are there self-help options?
5. Which trait is the most important for a leader and why? Or, which trait might be your blindside competency you need to develop?

The most challenging question is: what might be your blind spot competency? Your charisma will only take you so far. You might have a robust LinkedIn network, but how many will give you constructive feedback?

Top 5 Reasons for Senior Leader Derailment

Before we  address the needed for success, let’s explore the top 10 reasons why senior leaders in the health and human services sectors often face challenges, get derailed, fail, or even get fired:

1. Inability to Build and Lead High-Performing Teams: Its best to build the team you inherit, not sabotage it. High-performing teams are crucial for organizational success, and a leader’s failure to foster collaboration, trust, and accountability can have a devastating impact. Micromanagement, poor communication, and a lack of conflict resolution skills are all signs of a dysfunctional team in this area.
2. Lack of Strategic Thinking and Foresight: Senior leaders need to see the big picture, anticipate future challenges, and make decisions impacting the organization long-term. Being stuck in the weeds of day-to-day operations or failing to adapt to change can spell disaster.
3. Poor Communication and Interpersonal Skills: According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (pdf), poor communication can lead to low morale, missed performance goals, and even lost sales. Effective communication is essential for building relationships, gaining buy-in, and navigating complex situations. Leaders who need help communicating, concisely, and persuasively will find it a challenge to build trust and achieve their goals.
4. Ethical Lapses and Lack of Integrity: Integrity is non-negotiable for leaders, especially in the health and human services sectors. Don’t be a jerk. Engaging in unethical behavior, such as financial misconduct or conflicts of interest, can quickly erode trust and damage an organization’s reputation.
5. Inability to Manage Change and Embrace Innovation: The health and human services sectors constantly evolves, and leaders need to adapt to change and embrace innovation. Resistance to new ideas, technologies, or processes can hinder progress and lag an organization.

Emerging strategic health leaders who want to avoid these pitfalls and set themselves up for success need to focus on continuously developing their competencies:

Unlock the power of the SHELDR: Cultivating Competencies for Success

Avoid the pitfalls that derail many senior leaders: Micromanagement, poor communication, ethical lapses, and resistance to change can all lead to your downfall. Embrace the SHELDR framework as your roadmap to success, and you’ll be well-equipped to build high-performing teams, make impactful decisions, and lead with integrity.

The Strategic Health Leadership (SHELDR) framework provides a valuable roadmap for aspiring leaders. It identifies five key competencies that are essential for success at the senior level:

1. Strategic Thinking: Anticipate the future, craft winning strategies, and see the big picture. Become a visionary leader who guides your organization toward a brighter tomorrow.
2. Communication & Influence: Motivate your team, build consensus, and communicate with clarity and conviction. Inspire others to follow your vision and empower them to achieve their full potential. Effective communication enables your to rally a team around a vision, empower employees, build trust, and navigate organizational change.
3. Collaboration & Teamwork: Harness the collective intelligence of your team, foster trust, and resolve conflict constructively. Build a culture of collaboration and coordination where everyone feels valued and heard. Learn to lead sideways without authority across organization boundaries.
4. Decision-Making & Risk Management: Make sound decisions under pressure, gather data, and weigh potential outcomes. Lead with confidence, knowing you’ve considered all angles and mitigated risks. Use artificial intelligence (AI) as your friend.
5. Resilience & Adaptability: Bounce back from setbacks, embrace change, and remain calm under pressure. Become a leader who thrives in uncertain times and inspires resilience in your team. Building resilience is vital. In a study by Zenger Folkman, it was found that leaders with high resilience are viewed as more effective. Research shows they thrive in the face of change and uncertainty.

Developing Your SHELDR Arsenal

Empower yourself to reach the pinnacle of healthcare leadership by mastering the SHELDR competencies: strategic thinking, communication and influence, collaboration and teamwork, decision-making and risk management, resilience and adaptability. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the tools you’ll need to navigate the obstacles and seize the opportunities that await senior leaders.

Now, let’s equip you with practical tools to hone these competencies:

1. Seek Mentorship: Find experienced leaders who can provide guidance, share their wisdom, and challenge you to grow. Skip sponsorship.  You chances of getting derailed are greater.
2. Embrace Feedback: Actively seek constructive feedback including feedforward from colleagues, superiors, and even external mentors to identify areas for improvement.
3. Continuous Learning: Never stop learning! Attend workshops and conferences and pursue relevant professional development opportunities.
4. Network Strategically: Connect with influential individuals and organizations to broaden your perspective and gain valuable insights, not your next job!
5. Volunteer for Leadership Roles: Take on challenging projects and leadership positions within your organization to gain practical experience.

Deep Dive Questions

To truly internalize the SHELDR framework and personalize your leadership journey, ask yourself these thought-provoking questions:

1. Which of the five SHELDR competencies do I currently excel in? Which ones need further development?
2. Can I identify past instances where my leadership was derailed by one of the five pitfalls? What lessons did I learn from those experiences?
3. Who are my leadership role models? What specific actions can I emulate to cultivate their strengths within myself?
4. How can I leverage my strengths and the SHELDR framework to address a current challenge within my organization?
5. What concrete steps can I take in the next 30 days to cultivate one of my weaker SHELDR competencies?

By actively reflecting on these questions, you can gain valuable insights into your leadership potential and chart a course for continuous growth.

Learning Activities

Solidify your understanding of the SHELDR framework and put it into practice through these engaging activities:

1. Facilitate a team discussion on the SHELDR framework: Spark dialogue within your team about how these competencies can be applied to improve collaboration and achieve shared goals.
2. Develop a Personal SHELDR Development Plan: Identify your strengths and opportunities to improve in each competency area. Set SMART and elastic goals and create a roadmap for targeted development activities, including mentorship, training, or specific projects.
3. Conduct a 360-degree Leadership Assessment: Seek feedback from colleagues, superiors, and even individuals outside your immediate network. Analyze the constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement and areas where you excel.
4. Join a Leadership Development Program: Find reputable programs or communities focused on developing healthcare leaders. Immerse yourself in learning opportunities, network with peers, and practice your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
5. Create a personal SHELDR development plan: Identify your strengths and weaknesses in each competency, then set specific goals and actionable steps for improvement.
6. Shadow a senior leader: Observe their leadership style firsthand and note how they embody the SHELDR competencies daily.
7. Volunteer for a leadership development program: Seek opportunities to learn from experienced mentors and hone your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
8. Share your SHELDR journey: Write a blog post, present at a conference, or mentor others about your experiences and learnings on becoming a SHELDR.

By engaging in these activities, you can transform the SHELDR framework from a theoretical concept to a practical tool, propelling you toward a successful and impactful career in healthcare leadership.

Summary 

Take action, transform your leadership journey, and thrive at the helm of healthcare. Embrace the SHELDR framework, empower yourself, and inspire a brighter future for the health and human services sectors. Remember, the path to senior leadership is a continuous journey. Embrace lifelong learning, cultivate your strengths, and lead with purpose and integrity. With the SHELDR framework as your guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving impactful results and leaving a lasting legacy in healthcare.

Key Words

Leader, Leadership, Strategic Leadership, Competencies, Healthcare, Development

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I Have a Question. Do You Want to Unlock Your Strategic Leadership Potential? Then, Master the Art of Asking the Right Questions (ATRQ), Now!

References

By embracing these learning resources and actively engaging with the questions and activities presented, you can embark on your journey towards becoming a transformative SHELDR, leaving a lasting positive impact on the healthcare landscape. Remember, the path to senior leadership is a continuous learning journey, and your dedication to growth will pave the way for a fulfilling and impactful career.

1. “Gimme SHELDR! Preparing for Strategic Leadership” by Douglas Anderson: https://www.slideshare.net/DouglasAnderson/gimme-sheldr-preparing-for-strategic-leadership
2. “The Leadership Pipeline” by Ram Charan, Stephen Drotter, and James Noel: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Pipeline-Powered-Company-non-Franchise-ebook/dp/B004BA5776
3. “Good to Great” by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others-ebook/dp/B0058DRUV6
4. “Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves: https://www.amazon.com/emotional-intelligence-2-0/s?k=emotional+intelligence+2.0
5. “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni: https://www.amazon.com/five-dysfunctions-team/s?k=five+dysfunctions+of+a+team
6. “Top 10 Reasons Why Senior Leaders Derail” by Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2021/09/every-leader-has-flaws-dont-let-yours-derail-your-strategy
7. “Emerging Leaders: Five Traits You Need” by John C. Maxwell: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/john-maxwell-21-indispensable-qualities-leader-nikhil-vyas
8. “Transformational Leadership” by James M. Burns: https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Leadership-James-MacGregor-Burns/dp/0802141188
9. 18 Key Leadership Competencies for 2024 Success – AIHR. https://www.aihr.com/blog/leadership-competencies/.
10. The Most-Needed Leadership Competencies | CCL. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/most-important-leadership-competencies/.
11. Why Good Leaders Fail – MIT Sloan Management Review. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/why-good-leaders-fail/.
12. Leadership Derailment: Characteristics that Undermine Your … – Poimena. https://poimena.com/leadership-derailment-characteristics-that-undermine-your-success/.
13. What is a Leadership Derailer? – DecisionWise. https://decision-wise.com/resources/articles/what-is-a-leadership-derailer/.
14. The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness by Lolly Daskal: This insightful book delves into the common challenges faced by leaders and offers practical strategies for overcoming them.
15. American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE): This professional organization offers leadership development programs and resources specifically tailored for healthcare professionals.
16. Center for Creative Leadership: This global nonprofit organization provides leadership development programs and resources for individuals and organizations across all sectors.

By exploring these diverse resources, you can gain valuable insights from experts, discover new perspectives, and find inspiration to continue your leadership development journey. Remember, the more you learn and grow, the better equipped you will be to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in your career.