AHL founder and CEO Dan Nielsen posed this question: “Based on your experience and success as a healthcare leader, what advice would you give healthcare professionals who aspire to be a healthcare CEO or senior executive?”
Traci’s succinct, but very powerful response provides excellent food for thought and action:
“You must be willing to take more risks!”
Not only is Traci the president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Southlake, Texas, she is also a Registered Nurse. Hands-on nursing has always been ‘her thing.’ A number of years ago she applied for an emergency room/operating room position. HR said, “We see you have some experience with quality teams as well as measuring and monitoring quality.” The reality is that Traci had been on a few quality teams but was nowhere close to being an expert or having significant expertise and experience in quality measurement, management, and leadership.
“I was offered the position of quality coordinator. I said yes knowing that I could learn what I needed to learn and that I would surround myself with people smarter and more experienced than myself. Quality then turned into risk management. People would ask me all kinds of risk management questions. I would tell them I would get back to them. I then called attorneys, friends, or whoever appropriate in order to get the right and best answers. And guess what? I became quite proficient and knowledgeable in quality and risk management issues and leadership. Be willing to take more risks and learn! Always be not only willing, but proactive in terms of seeking appropriate risks and learning opportunities.”
On another occasion, Traci was interviewing for a leadership position but felt the organizational structure in terms of responsibilities and reporting relationships was not right. The recruiter advised Traci to take the job and make the appropriate changes happen after she took the job…. and she did. She had the courage to go to the president and explain why she felt the position should be realigned and what it should look like. Within 3 months of Traci taking that job, the president made the changes she recommended, including a promotion and far more responsibility.
“Being a nurse, I have always sought out responsibility for departments and roles that did not have anything to do with nursing. It has been great because I have learned so much about all aspects of healthcare. I love nursing but I also love all aspects of healthcare delivery and leadership. Did I intentionally plan my career this way? No. But did each one of my roles and responsibilities turn into a strategic move that positioned me for my next—and now my current—position and job? Absolutely! Did I face significant challenges along the way? Absolutely! But it made me grow and become who I am now. There is now virtually no aspect of healthcare that I haven’t at least touched.”
Traci’s advice is life-changing, career-enhancing, and forever timeless for those who desire true success. True success—which is to become all that you are capable of becoming, and to contribute all that you are capable of contributing.
“Work hard. Take risks. Don’t pass an opportunity. If someone offers you a challenge (code word for opportunity), take it. Jump on it! Learn from it. Absorb… be open… be a sponge. Never, ever stop learning and taking on new challenges and risks! Do this and your career will be a joy, a blessing, and a positive influence on the lives of others.”
So how about you… and me? What a wonderful time to reflect, self-examine, and make appropriate changes in each of our lives regarding the limitless potential and return on investment of taking more risks!