Health Care Leadership Success

Think of the worst boss you've ever had. Was he isolated at the top, never allowing you or anyone else to contribute thoughts or ideas? Did you feel like he was afraid of losing his status? Did she try to solve all of your problems before you had a chance to do so? Were you unsure of the company's ultimate vision, instead working at a seemingly mindless or menial task day after day?

Now that you're the boss, how do your employees see you? Are they working with you to build a strong health care facility or working for you to get a paycheck? The difference between a leader and a manager, according to Frank McGuire, a keynote speaker at the 1998 American Health Care Association conference, is that a manager can get employees to do what the manager wants, but a leader inspires the employees to want to do it. McGuire should know. Not only did he help "the Colonel" launch the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire, but he helped a young man turn a simple packaging service in Memphis, Tenn. into Federal Express; hired Ted Koppel and Charles Osgood; helped America Airlines expand to Hawaii, the South Pacific and the Caribbean; and served in the executive offices of two presidents. So which are you, a leader or a manager? If your answer isn't what you'd like it to be, or even if you just need a few brush-ups, read on. ADVANCE has worked with some of the top leadership experts to design a blueprint for leadership success.