healthsystemCIO.com is the sole online-only publication dedicated to exclusively and comprehensively serving the information needs of healthcare CIOs.
For leaders, balancing wants and needs can be challenging, particularly given the limited budgets most are facing, according to Chris Walden, VP of Information Technology at Tenet Healthcare. But it’s a decision that should never be made in a vacuum, he wrote in this piece.
Five years ago, Chris Walden had a lofty goal: to turn his second chance into an opportunity to become a better leader, and to help others do that same. In his final post, he talks about what that journey has meant to him.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting more, but when discontentment prevents you from being able to celebrate victories and enjoy life, it’s time to take a step back, says Chris Walden.
It’s natural for leaders to feel drained at times — particularly around the holidays. What distinguishes great leaders is the willingness to refuel and turn the wheel over to those we trust, says Chris Walden.
Showing up late to meetings may seem a minor crime, but over time, behaviors like this can chip away at a leader’s credibility, says Chris Walden, who believes the “little choices” we make speak volumes to those we lead.
Nothing can teach you more about your leadership philosophy than a road trip that doesn’t go as planned, says Chris Walden, reflecting on what he learned during a recent journey.
It’s important to value your team’s opinions, but when they can’t agree on an outcome or next step, a leader has to take responsibility and make a decision, says Chris Walden.
By stopping and reflecting on how we react to life’s challenges, we become more humble and are better able to engage with those around us, says Chris Walden, who encourages all leaders to take a pause when needed.
Some levels of stress can be manageable, and even beneficial for organizations, but a leader must be able to recognize when stress is crossing into the toxic world and take action, says Chris Walden.
The hiring practice can sometimes feel more like a mating ritual. So how can leaders make sure they’re recruiting individuals who add to the culture and don’t detract from it? By learning how to master the dance, says Chris Walden.
