Katie's Leadership Lounge

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, host Katie addresses healthcare leaders who feel stuck and overwhelmed by the pressures of their roles. She emphasises that leadership is an attitude, not a title, and encourages listeners to try something different to break free from feeling stuck, whether it's a small change like altering their breakfast or a big life change. Katie highlights the importance of noticing wins each day. She recommends books such as "Switch" by Dan and Chip Heath, "Immunity to Change," and "Atomic Habits" to aid in personal and organisational change. She shares a personal anecdote about taking a walk during home renovations to regain energy and momentum. Katie also announces she will reduce the frequency of her email updates and take more frequent podcast breaks for balance. She closes with a message of encouragement, reminding listeners that by continuing to show up, they are doing better than they realise and should keep making small changes to foster progress and hope. Links and Resources: Check out the leadership lounge webpagekatiequinney.com

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, Katie explores the analogy of birds flying in V formation to draw lessons on leadership and teamwork in healthcare. She explains how the V formation reduces wind resistance, allowing birds to conserve energy and fly longer distances, symbolising how teamwork enhances efficiency and endurance. The formation also facilitates visibility and communication, enabling quick adjustments and mutual support, including helping struggling members. Leadership is shared as birds rotate the lead position to distribute workload, reflecting the importance of distributed leadership and leveraging individual strengths. Katie stresses the value of encouragement within teams and cautions against becoming isolated in echo chambers, urging alignment with shared goals and directions. She connects these insights to healthcare, emphasising collaboration, supporting colleagues through challenges, and balancing leadership roles to improve efficiency and well-being. The episode encourages leaders to reflect on their direction, foster collective strength, and embrace shared leadership to navigate the ongoing demands of healthcare delivery.Check out katiequinney.com for links and resources :)

Leadership isn’t about controlling everything; it’s about focusing on what matters. In this episode, I’m talking about how choosing your attitude and attending to the ‘boring magic’ can transform both your day and your team’s culture. With practical examples, it’s how pausing to check in, practising self-compassion, and noticing small wins help you step out of firefighting mode and into a more sustainable leadership state. Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersI don’t want to keep fire-fighting; I want to stop them from starting. Get to know your own circles of controlUnravelling the circlesYour meeting check-in

Summary In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, I discuss navigating new job opportunities and career changes for healthcare leaders. I’ve got three steps that come up in all the conversations I have: first, reassessing your core values and strengths to clarify what matters most and what unique skills you bring; second, envisioning your future self and career goals to set a meaningful direction; and third, reflecting on your career history by creating a timeline to identify key leaps, what was left behind, gained, and how these shaped your current self. Understanding these elements helps in making confident, aligned career decisions. I’m starting to bring in insights from the book "10x is easier than 2x" about setting ambitious goals. While the book is still challenging my thinking in some respects, I’m pulling the wisdom that is super relevant here. This episode is all about encouraging self-reflection and offers practical prompts and resources to support you in your career transitions.Links and Resources Uncovering your personal valuesUnderstanding and using your strengthsDaria Williamson: Strengths DeckSWOT and SOAR in practicePlaying Big by Tara Mohr10x is Easier than 2x5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders

Summary As healthcare leaders, you know the value of consistency, the daily showing up, the small steps, the 1% progress that adds up over time. But what if there are moments when those steady steps aren’t enough? This week I’m thinking about the tension between incremental growth and bold, transformative leaps. I’m listening to 10X is Easier than 2X and having my thinking challenged. Which is a good thingI start with ideas on managing the all-too-familiar feeling of overwhelm, while also exploring how to challenge your own thinking, test long-held beliefs, and rethink your leadership identity. The key is learning to hold contradictions: coping and challenging, comfort and courage, progress and transformation.This episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and ask: Does your leadership right now need small steps, a big leap, or is it both?Links and Resources Help me, I’m overwhelmed5 things to help you focus, make progress and avoid overwhelm10x is Easier than 2xThe beginner’s guide to vertical developmentFrom Good to Great5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders

In the whirlwind of healthcare leadership, it can feel impossible to pause long enough to see the bigger picture. That’s where tools like SWOT and SOAR come in. In this episode of Katie’s Leadership Lounge, I’m looking at this classic framework, uncovering history, and showing how they can help leaders challenge assumptions, uncover blind spots, and move from firefighting to focused action.Whether you’re stepping into a new role, leading a team through change, or simply craving clarity, SWOT and SOAR offer simple but powerful ways to reflect, plan, and set direction.Links and Resources Get your SWOT and SOAR free templatesWhat is a SWOT analysis videoPersonal SWOT analysisWhat is a SWOT analysis, and why do you need oneThe origins of the SWOT analysis5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders

Leading in healthcare isn’t a sprint with a clear endpoint, and there are moments when you can’t do everything and be everywhere, so you get to choose. These moments are about what really matters. Being clear on what that is for you is essential if you want to lead well. In this reflective episode, I’m sharing what pausing, noticing, and being truly present can do for your leadership. You create a triple impact: supporting your wellbeing, building stronger relationships, and improving your work. I’m sharing practical tips on how you can create moments to ground and refocus yourself, all of which you can use in less than 30 seconds. This episode is your reminder that presence is a leadership strength.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersSaving your mindOne thing at a timeDo you know what matters most?What game are you playing as a healthcare leader?Habits that shape you

Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersPersonal Values WorkbookUnderstanding Your StrengthsDaria WilliamsonInsight Are you in need of an opposite world?Build your networkWhy you need your own square squad

Starting with one idea, I found myself going in circles. With so much bad stuff going on in the world, who am I to talk about anything? Not to mention my ideas for sustainable leadership in healthcare. So I started with that, and came full circle, from Bittersweet to the Stockdale Paradox and a whole lot more in between. Links and ResourcesBittersweetThe Stockdale Paradox from Good to GreatWhat you should know about the Stockdale ParadoxThe Emotional Culture DeckReflection for healthcare leadersKindness Get the No Jedi email 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders

Links and Resources Gratitude when you don’t think there is time for anything moreThe Healthy Mind PlatterReflection over Rumination5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersWhat’s a catio, and are the cats OK? Meet the cats on InstagramSee what I’m sharing on LinkedIn and come and say helloWhile you’re there, check out Melissa Crawford

This episode is for anyone who has ever left a team, a job, or a role, or supported someone else through it. I’m reflecting on what it means to lead through endings, personally and professionally, with the help of Tuckman’s Adjourning stage and Bridges’ Transition Model. I share what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about letting go, closure, grief, uncertainty, and grace. It’s the wrap-up to Season 4 — and a personal pause as I take the leap and we move back to the UK. Links and Resources Sign up for the weekly email and get those bookcase videos5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders3-step model for times of transition (The Bridges Model)Introduction to the SCARF modelLeading through uncertainty with the SCARF modelYour team development workbook

With only two weeks till my big move, the period of Matarki and Midwinter has created a space of pause for me. So this week, I’m sharing a calm, reflective episode as this is a natural moment to reflect and take stock. Links and Resources Take this time to reflect on your values Consider your purposeGratitude when you don’t think you have time for gratitudeComplete Gratitude Workbook5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders

What is the type of leader you want to be, and are your habits supporting that idea?In this episode, we look at the difference between routines and habits and why that distinction matters for healthcare leaders under pressure. Drawing on practical examples and experience (including how a one-minute action can spark major change), I’m talking about how habits form the backbone of leadership identity. You'll hear how even in chaos, small, consistent actions build the leader you want to become.With reflective prompts to close, this episode is both a reset and a reframe for leaders ready to align their daily actions with the impact they want to have.

Habit 3 of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is Putting First Things First.This means moving out of always being in crisis mode and considering planning, prevention, relationship building and recreation. This is the zone of effectiveness, and to move there more often will take courage, real conversations and a personal challenge where you ask what zone you prefer working in.I ask, why does every layer of healthcare hierarchy need to be involved in the day-to-day crisis management, and if we’re all doing that, who is being effective and thinking about prevention and building the relationships and plans we need to move us out of the always-on crisis mode?In this episode, I share a story of how I leaned into something important that was not urgent, but made all the difference for my soul and mind. This story creates a bridge to The Healthy Mind Platter, a tool that reminds us of what we need to stay mentally well and that there is synergy when we integrate the tools at our disposal.Links and Resources Register for the free Healthy Mind Platter Intro session The Seven Habits of Highly Effective PeopleIs this urgent or important?How long before you pick up your phone?Sign up for the No Jedi email here5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders

As a slightly lost and overwhelmed charge nurse, I knew I wanted to be effective. I also knew that the skills I had learnt in the clinical setting needed to be expanded. Picking up a second-hand copy of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People got me started.Taking me from chaos to clarity and giving me confidence to make the impact I wanted to make.The 7 Habits gives you a framework to build from, wherever you are in your leadership, and it’s a set of ideas and concepts I’m leaning back into now, as I prepare for a move to the other side of the world.In this episode, you get an overview of the 7 Habits, the relevance to the healthcare setting and the practical examples of the impact I had from the ideas in the book.Links and ResourcesThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People from FranklinCoveyYour circle of controlSharpen the sawLeading through scarcityWhen a sense of scarcity takes over5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersSign up for the No Jedi Email here

SummaryJoy: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortuneJoy in work is not a flaky, soft, fluffy thing to add on when you have the time or money to do so. Joy in work should be a right for everyone who is committing themselves to the work and leadership in healthcare. It connects us with meaning and purpose, and that’s just the first course.Its measure starts with engagement and satisfaction, and then the ball is rolling. We get lower turnover, reduced burnout, improved patient experience, outcomes and safety. People are more productive and effective, and make fewer errors. All of that adds up to lower costs: Joy in work saves money.The steps you take are laid out in the IHI framework, starting with asking ‘what matters to you’. This is leadership in action, and while system and organisation backing, support and engagement make a difference, there is nothing to stop you starting a movement of joy.It’s an act of resistance, your way to raise the power of the human spirit in yourself and everyone around you. It’s a counterweight to overwhelm and disconnection, where you reclaim your own emotional and mental agency.And with that, we can positively change the way it feels to work in healthcare so that you can make a difference for those you are serving.Links and Resources The IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work How does joy in work advance quality and safetyThe three foundations for joy in work Let’s admit we need to have joy in work5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersJoy as an act of resistanceSign up for the No Jedi Joyful email

If feeling feelings is part of being human and our emotions are data, not direction, how does the healthcare leader respond in the emotionally charged workplace that is healthcare? This episode, I’m tapping into the experts and sharing the ideas that help you manage your emotions - the wanted and the not-so-wanted in the work setting. We’re factoring in the specific healthcare challenges and realising the impact of not managing your emotions can have, for you as a leader and for those around you. These are skills, ideas and tactics I wish I had learned much earlier in my career and will enable you to establish yourself with confidence and clarity. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the ‘how you want to feel at work’ conversation, coming up on Friday, 23rd May. Grab your place here. Links and Resources Register for the Emotional Culture Deck Free ‘How do you want to feel at work’ sessionSign up for the No Jedi email 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersLiz and MollieHow to manage your anger at workSusan David

This episode isn’t polished (like it ever is), it’s personal. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing what many leaders are too scared to say out loud—what it’s like to be accused of bullying, and what it feels like to be on the receiving end.These real-life stories are a wake-up call to pay attention to what’s said, unsaid, and misunderstood in our teams. Bullying in healthcare leadership doesn’t always look like we expect, but its impact is always real, and it’s always personalWe get into why my favourite topics of connection, belonging and trust as so important to any work or efforts to address the culture you have at work.Pink Shirt Day is coming up, and it’s your chance to remind, refresh and re-commit to not only who you are as a leader, but how you want others to feel.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersPink Shirt DayI’m being bulliedYou’ve first steps when someone says ‘I’m being bullied’Pink Shirt Day for LifeSign up for your weekly bright spot here

SummaryAs Star Wars fans celebrate May the 4th, we’re kicking off season 4, reflecting on the stories that shape us.Star Wars was a big childhood influence that I’ve carried with me into my work and my leadership. Knowing ‘I’m no Jedi but I know the force’ is about saying that I don’t have all the answers, but I know these conversations matter. And along the way, I’ll have a few things to share with you that will help, support and encourage you.We’re looking at the shadow sides we all have, and that, like overusing our strengths, we can get tripped up if we’re not aware, but you don’t need to be a hero to be a great leaderI’m also exploring the deeper truth: fear-based tight control isn’t just ineffective in healthcare—it’s exhausting. Instead, connection, purpose and curiosity are powerful antidotes.If you’ve ever felt like you should know more as a leader, this episode is a permission slip to lead with curiosity and courage instead.LinksGrab your spot at one of two workshops - how do you want to feel at work?

Wrapping up season 3 with planning ahead tips in a mini-mid-week episode because I completely forgot it was Easter.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersGet started, get simplified and organise your work lifeThe digital declutter you didn’t know you neededTwo things I know about getting things doneI don’t want to keep fighting fires What’s a topic you want the lounge to explore? Let me know here. 

Healthcare is stretched, but your mindset is still a choice. This episode isn’t about pretending things aren’t tough—it’s about the power of noticing how you think, and choosing to lead with clarity and impact anyway. We explore the Abundance Mindset and how it supports stronger, more intentional leadership—even in stretched systems.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersGrateful In AprilGratitude FreebiesGratitude Practice when you have no timeAppreciative Feedback to Shift Your CultureThere will always be more: overcoming scarcity mindsetHabit Four: Think Win-WinWhen a sense of scarcity takes overMoving from scarcity to gratitude: your leadership choiceWhat’s a topic you want the lounge to explore, let me know here. 

Behind every episode of The Leadership Lounge is a deeper reason for showing up. Hitting the 50-episode mark felt like the right time to pause and reflect—not just on the podcast, but on the leadership journey itself. Every leadership journey starts somewhere—but what keeps it going? In this episode, I share three key reflections that have shaped both the podcast and my own leadership: getting clear on your why, showing up with persistence (especially on the tough days), and staying adaptable as things around you change.These aren’t just podcasting lessons—they’re leadership ones. I also revisit the foundation of what we talk about: supporting personal leadership growth, building strong and connected teams, and making healthcare work better through operational excellence. Whether you're leading in complexity, starting to find your feet, or recalibrating your role—this conversation is for you.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersGrit, purpose and hopeAsking for helpGetting started with reflectionHow to re-think managing upBuilding your professional networkWhat’s a topic you want the lounge to explore, let me know here. 

Every day, healthcare teams work together—but are they cooperating or collaborating? And does it matter? In this episode, we explore the key differences, when to use each approach, and why shared purpose is the glue that makes both work. Breaking down silos and strengthening connections between leaders and teams is critical to delivering better patient outcomes and creating healthier workplace cultures. Whether you're a new charge nurse leading a team or a seasoned leader looking to foster deeper collaboration, this conversation will give you practical insights to build trust, alignment, and impact.Links and Resources Download your guide to finding your team’s purpose5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersThe difference between collaboration and cooperation The difference between collaboration and cooperation (yes the same title but it’s a different link) Cooperation, coordination and collaborationThe power of teamwork and collaboration What’s a topic you want the lounge to explore, let me know here. 

If you are leading leaders, this episode is packed with insights and practical strategies to help you create a solid foundation—one that ensures your new team leaders can handle the fast pace of leadership with confidence and clarity. Plus, check out the show notes for a free Appreciative Feedback mini-course to help embed these practices into your leadership approach.Links and Resources5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders19 words to use in providing feedback from the PinkCastThe Culture Code by Daniel CoyleRadical Candor by Kim ScottIncrease your leadership impact with every 1:1 meetingAppreciative Feedback 101 - A free course so you can boost morale, increase energy and shift the culture of your team. Meet me and the kitten over on InstagramBurning issue, stuck point, or challenge you can’t get any help on - let’s talk about it in the lounge let me know here. 

What if kindness wasn’t just a personal trait but a powerful force for transforming healthcare? I dive into Intelligent Kindness, a concept that shifts kindness from being seen as ‘soft’ to a strategic approach for stronger teams, better patient care, and a healthier system. From tackling self-doubt to building trust and therapeutic alliances, this episode offers a fresh perspective on why kindness—when applied intelligently—is anything but soft.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersReforming the culture of healthcare: the case for intelligent kindnessIntelligent kindness in practiceCulture, kinship and intelligent kindnessAn introduction into intelligent kindnessThe Francis Inquiry Report What’s a topic you want the lounge to explore, let me know here. 

Tackling a challenge can feel overwhelming, but the key is to start right and stay the course. In this short episode, I share a simple yet powerful four-step framework: (1) Understand the issue, (2) Ask questions, (3) Start small, and (4) Keep going. It’s about clarity, curiosity, and the grit to see things through. A short and practical listen for leaders in the thick of it!Links and Resources5 Qualities of High Impact Healthcare Leaders Does healthcare need great managers or great leaders?Your first two moves when you feel stuckHumble EnquiryGetting StartedGrit, Purpose and HopeKeep going, you’re doing great

What happens when staff are afraid to speak up? Healthcare teams struggle with stress, turnover, and burnout—but when psychological safety is strong, collaboration, learning, and performance thrive. In this episode, we break down what psychological safety is, the stories of where it started and the impacts when you have it, and what happens when you don’t. We look at why hierarchy and fear hold teams back and how the four key domains—willingness to help, inclusion, risk attitude, and open conversations create actionable focus areas for you and your team.Links and ResourcesWhat is Psychological SafetyPsychological Safety as an Enduring Resource Amid ConstraintsThe Fearless Organisation ScanAmy EdmondsonBetter Leadership & Learning: A Guide to Psychological SafetyLiz and Mollie Psychological Safety AssessmentThe 4 stages of psychological safety Radical CandorAn introduction to the SCARF modelSay Kia ora on LinkedInJoin the hundreds of healthcare leaders who get the regular dose of inspiration and encouragement.

Healthcare leaders are being asked to do the impossible. So, how do we make the work achievable? In this episode, we talk about the courage it takes to prioritise, the role of risk conversations in setting boundaries, and how tools like FMEA and Cal Newport’s ideas in Slow Productivity can help us work differently. I also revisit the ‘big rocks’ allegory and why health—our own and our teams’—must be in the jar first. This is about making working and leading in healthcare sustainable.Links and ResourcesSlow Productivity Cal NewportBe clear on what mattersRocks, pebbles and sand analogy Stephen Covey’s Big Rocks video FMEA from the IHIYour meetings from a perspective of courageNick Petrie on burnout

Your environment influences more than just your workflow—it affects how you feel, how you lead, and even how others perceive you. Rabbit holes aside, an organised and decluttered workspace helps your focus and reduces frustration. Taking some of the hard work of what is often hard work.In short, your workspace isn’t just where you work—it’s how you work. In this episode, I’m sharing ideas and stories to give you a fresh perspective on how you can support your energy, and effectiveness by looking at the physical environment you are in.Plus, a challenge: take a fresh look at your space and make changes that set you up for success.Links and ResourcesGet started, get organised and simplify your work lifeJoy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott SonensheinWork Smarter, Live Better by Cyril PeupionBuilding a Second Brain by Tiago FortePARA by Tiago ForteThe 15 Step Challenge

Frustration, burnout, feeling like something is off—these emotions don’t just come from the workload or the people around us. Often, they’re a signal of a deeper misalignment with our core values. If you don’t have clarity on what truly matters to you, decision-making becomes harder, confidence wavers, and tough situations feel even heavier. In this episode, I explore how understanding your values gives you the power to make better choices, feel more grounded, and lead with confidence—even in challenging environments. If that sounds like your life right now, download the values workbook to help you get started on defining what truly drives you.Links and ResourcesDownload the Personal Values WorkbookBrené Brown Dare to Lead Hub and Living into your values. Owen Eastwood Belonging and Way of Champions Interview Gil Sewell Fiona Michel Tim Keogh, Kinder Conversations and A Kind Life

Links and ResourcesAre you there yet? Developing a Growth MindsetThe Infinite Game - Simon SinekStephen Covey - Urgent versus Important time matrixPatrick Lencioni and The 5 Dysfunctions of a TeamA collection of TrustThe Libby App for audiobooks5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersGot a topic you want the lounge to explore let me know here. Let’s connect on LinkedIn

Links and ResourcesInspiration as a physiological construct. Todd M Thrash and Andrew J Elliot Ken Robinson TED talk: Do Schools Kill Creativity Grit, Purpose and HopeAngela Duckwork Keep Going, You’re Doing GreatSimon Sinek Start with Why TED talkMartin Seligman Brene Brown and The Power of Vulnerability

Links and resources5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersGratitude Practice Guide When was the last time anyone said ‘thank you’ to youTracking those goalsShowing up and finding a bright spot

Links and ResourcesIntroduction to the SCARF model Another day of meetings (using the SCARF model to review your calendar - a challenging leadership activity). The SCARF model of engagementUnleash the Power of the SCARF Model for Effective Leadership and CoachingExamining the engagement of health services staff in change management: modifying the SCARF assessment modelSCARF in 20125 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersGot a topic you want the lounge to explore let me know here. Sign up for the No Jedi email here Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership HubMeet me on Instagram 

Links and ResourcesEddie Izzard and the best-laid plans of Mice and MenHelen Bevan sharing how to adapt SMART goalsAlicia McKay - a fresh take on SMART goals2025 Bingo CardSusannah Conway and Find Your Word 2025Got a topic you want the lounge to explore let me know here. Sign up for the No Jedi email here Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership HubMeet the new kitten on Instagram 

Links and ResourcesDownload your reflect, refine and reimagine workbook here Register for free for the online end-of-year session with the Emotional Culture DeckGetting started with reflection as a healthcare leader. Wrapping up the yearChewing the cud and getting stuck in rumination The Infinite Game by Simon SinekI’m still here on Instagram with the December Reflections Got a topic you want the lounge to explore? Let me know here. 

Speak to yourself like you’d speak to a friend. It’s easy to look around at the world’s struggles and feel guilty for your own. That’s what I was doing, and I was going in a downward spiral until I was pausing and reminding myself of the advice I give to others. It’s easy to look around at the world’s struggles and feel guilty for your own. In this raw and vulnerable episode, I share a recent experience of self-doubt and shame and the lessons I learned about acknowledging our own humanity. Compassion isn’t a finite resource; it’s a practice we must extend to ourselves first. If you’ve ever felt like you’re barely holding it together while hiding it from everyone, this episode is for you.

This episode explores the role of open, diverse, and deep connections in gaining perspective, sustaining resilience, breaking silos, and unlocking joy during challenging times. Hear how a simple phone call helped me shift from spiralling to succeeding and why generosity—not self-interest—should drive your network-building efforts.

Links and resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersThe beginner’s guide to vertical developmentAdeption Nick Petrie Developing talent: You’re probably missing vertical developmentBuilding your network as a healthcare leaderGetting started with reflection as a healthcare leaderLet’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership HubMeet me (and the cat) on Instagram 

Links and Resources: Gratitude Practice Guide Meet me on InstagramLet’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership HubGrit, Purpose and Hope

This week I’m sharing Stephen Covey’s Circle of Concern, Influence, and Control, focusing on practical ways to shift from worry to action. I’ll share some personal insights and simple, actionable ideas—like practising self-compassion, staying present, setting meaningful goals, and adopting a growth mindset—to help us feel more focused, empowered, and ready to make progress.Links and ResourcesDetermine your circles of control, influence and concern.The Seven Habits of Highly Effective PeopleInstagram Inspiration 1 Instagram Inspiration 25 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersPerform Under PressureSelf Compassion Got a topic you want the lounge to explore let me know here. Sign up for the No Jedi email here Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

In this episode, I’m looking at the challenges and strengths of working across generations in healthcare today. From the experienced perspectives of Gen X leaders to the fresh approaches of younger healthcare professionals, the workplace has never been more diverse—or more dynamic. So yes, frustrations and learning moments arise from different attitudes towards work-life boundaries, commitment, and adaptability.Sharing some of my early career experiences and the shifts in workplace culture, I’m suggesting that leaders can build a collaborative environment by embracing curiosity, growth, and open conversations.I think the answer to having a sustainable workforce in healthcare can be found when we listen to the younger generations and support their growth with the wisdom and perspective of those of us who have been around a little longer.Intergenerational teamwork is here, and together we have the answers to what will make healthcare work.Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersWhich generation are you? The generational mix and the magic it bringsTell me your podcast ideas.Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

Links and Resources5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersHelp me I’m overwhelmedThe Healthy Mind PlatterWheel of Life from Tuhi Stationary as part of thier planning tools collectionRegister for the Spark and Support Webinar Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more your thing, join me in the Healthcare Leadership HubInterested in coaching with me - find out more here

This week, we unpack the concept of "Sharpening the Saw" from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, applying it to leadership renewal. Explore Stephen Covey’s four pillars—mental, physical, spiritual, and social—and how they play a critical role in sustaining leadership performance. From organizing your mental space to discovering what inspires you, this episode is packed with ideas to keep your leadership sharp. We end with the Learn-Commit-Do model to help you take action!Links and Resources:5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders7 Habits of Highly Effective People Te Whare Tapa WhaManage your energy not your time Join the Healthy Mind Platter intro session Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

When someone comes to you with a problem, it’s easy to dive in and fix it. But what if, instead, you coached them through the solution? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to shift from solving to developing.Consider how to shift your mindset from being the problem solver to the coach. The episode discusses techniques to assess the urgency of tasks and make informed decisions about when to delegate, always with an eye toward developing future leaders.Links and ResourcesThe Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay StanierUnlocking Leadership Mindtraps by Jennifer Garvey BergerWhat are your podcast questions?Sign up for the No Jedi email here Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

Change is constant and we all know that, yet leading and change in healthcare is still a big challenge. Honest talking, ideas and perspective on change in this week's episode of the Leadership Lounge.Links and Resources5 tips for managing change in the workforceChange management modelsTim Ferris and Fear SettingStorytelling for Change from AcumenThe Long Time AcademyRegister for the Spark and Support Webinar  or the introduction mini webinar on The Healthy Mind Platter Webinar Tell me your podcast ideas.Sign up for the No Jedi email hereLet’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

Build trust and empower your teamSupport your mind, body and spiritBoost your creativity and let your mind wander into something new and amazingRest. You don’t have to earn it or prove you deserve it. You are entitled to rest because you are a human being (not a human doing). Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersHow taking a vacation improves your wellbeingMaking the most of your holidayDid I let it go? Register for the Spark and Support Webinar  or the introduction mini webinar on The Healthy Mind Platter Webinar Tell me your podcast ideas.Sign up for the No Jedi email here Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

“The quality of our reading stands as an index to the quality of our thought” Maryanne Wolf, cognitive scientist. The evidence is out for why reading fiction supports you as a leader, developing capacities and capabilities that will support you with the challenges and context of healthcare right now. Increasing understanding and building empathyBuild your emotional capacity Enhance your decision-makingImprove your writingIt’s a restorative activity and can reduce your stress Links and Resources5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersWhy leaders should read fictionWant to be a leader? Read more fiction.The case for reading fiction   How reading makes you a better leaderFind Katie on Goodreads and the new fiction for healthcare leaders bookcaseWant more to support you and your team - register for the Spark and Support Webinar  or the introduction mini webinar on The Healthy Mind Platter Webinar Tell me your podcast ideas.Sign up for the No Jedi email hereLet’s connect on Linkedin or if Facebook is more you, join me in theHealthcare Leadership Hub

You want to be credible, confident, and clear, yet you also need to be honest and open. If your job is on the line, or you are not sure what will happen next it’s hard to hold both of those. Your fears and worries will show through your words, your tone and how you hold yourself. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can hide it. Equally don’t think that your teams don’t know what’s going on. Show them how you walk through uncertainty holding onto hope and in alignment with your values.  - Noticing how you are showing up and the impact it has - The contagious nature of how you show up - Having a good handle on the facts  - The countdown of articles with ideas to think about  - Looking to the leaders that inspire you - Choosing courage over comfort - Care transparency  - Taking the long view Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders9 Things Great Leaders Do in Difficult Times  7 ways to show great leadership in tough times 3 stratergies for Leading through Difficult TimesPerform under pressure by Dr Ceri EvansDare to Lead by Brené BrownSpark and Support Webinar The Healthy Mind Platter Webinar What do you think of the podcast?Sign up for the No Jedi email here Let’s connect on Linkedin Or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub

Spring is in the air and I got to wondering if leadership has seasons. And of course, we have seasons as leaders, time for high energy full on summer and times of more reflective and considerate winter. What does this mean for you, your team and the organisation you’re in? What season are you in right now? I get into the gardening theme and think about how we create the environment for growth and nurture those developing their skills in their first leadership role.We take that into the practical day-to-day setting and the natural flow of energy through the day means you are more suited to certain types of work at certain times of day. The leadership lounge challenge is to notice those different moments and make the most of them. The leadership theme for each seasonThe cycle of growth, change and transition What does looking after new leaders meanPaying attention to your environment Scanning the horizonHow your energy changes throughout the dayCreating more time by making your day work for youLinks and Resources5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leadersMovement and leaders have seasonsWayfinding LeadershipThe Darkness Manifesto Moving between the dancefloor and the balconyLet me know what you think of the podcast here - don’t forget to follow and rate wherever you listen Sign up for the No Jedi email hereLet’s connect on Linkedin Or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub