Gina Temple: An Overview of Leadership in Healthcare

Gina Temple: A Look at Leadership in Healthcare

Like in every industry, there's a huge need for effective healthcare leadership. According to Gina Temple, the global pandemic has spotlighted the importance of innovative healthcare leaders who can quickly formulate effective solutions. After all, additional challenges such as healthcare accessibility and affordability require effective forward-thinkers at the helm.

Today, healthcare veteran Gina Temple shares an overview of healthcare leadership.

Leadership is defined as the ability to manage a team effectively. It is only a part of what makes an effective leader. Healthcare leadership isn't about maintaining the status quo -- rather, it pertains to identifying challenges in the system and finding solutions to them.

Healthcare leadership today has taken an active role in the direction of healthcare. It involves more than managing a healthcare organization, overseeing staff, or dealing with insurance. 

So, what makes a healthcare leader effective? 

According to Gina Temple, people who take on leadership roles in healthcare need to cultivate several skills to be effective.

First, they have to be good mentors. An effective leader doesn't stand above others. Rather, they seek to foster leadership qualities in them. Second, they challenge the status quo. Leaders aren't content with the status quo. They are always seeking opportunities to innovate and improve. Third, they effectively and empathetically educate others. In addition to mentoring others individually, Gina Temple says that effective leaders educate others outside their direct influence with empathy and zero condescension.

Next, an effective leader is humble. Effective leaders aren't afraid to accept criticism or feedback. Since a lot is still unknown about healthcare, Gina Temple says that mistakes are often inevitable. A good leader is more than willing to admit their mistakes or if they have skill and expertise gaps. Lastly, they know how to create opportunities for other individuals. Leaders always look to the future. They prioritize helping the next generation of healthcare professionals obtain leadership traits over sole personal improvement.

One of the most detrimental traits to giving quality healthcare is complacency. According to Gina Temple, self-satisfaction often leads to stagnation, not proactivity. Effective leader knows their limitations. They also understand that there's always something new worth learning. Bad leadership is keeping things the same way they've always been—most of the time, that doesn't get you anywhere.

For people hoping to advance their career in healthcare to a leadership position, Gina Temple says that it's important to ensure that you're prepared. A relevant degree is an excellent avenue for obtaining the required skills and qualifications. After all, when you get your education and experience, you can get all your information before you address your challenges in becoming a leader. Learning to critically assess information and equip yourself with the right tools is always important before confronting change.

Gina Temple has served in the healthcare community for over 30 years. Her past positions include working as a system-wide service line project manager, director of quality and risk management, regional director of organizational performance and service excellence, chief nurse executive, and chief operating officer. For more of her insights on healthcare and leadership, follow this page.