Building Resilience in Healthcare: The Power of Women in Leadership

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, resilience has become more crucial than ever. As we navigate through unprecedented challenges, the strength and adaptability of our teams determine our success. At the heart of this resilience is leadership—specifically, the impact of women in leadership roles.

LeighAnn & Karin post Magnet Recognition

The Foundation of Resilience

Resilience in healthcare organizations is built on several pillars: visibility, relationships, a focus on wellbeing, and authenticity. These elements foster a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and engaged. Our experience at Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital exemplifies these principles in action, thanks to our President and Chief Operating Officer, LeighAnn Sidone, DNP, RN, CENP, our gifted regional President; Carolyn Carpenter, MHA, FACHE; along with our diverse leadership team.

Women in leadership positions play a crucial role in building a healthy and equitable culture within organizations. Their influence can lead to positive changes and create a more inclusive environment for everyone. By promoting diversity and gender equality in leadership roles, organizations can foster a culture that values different perspectives and experiences. This, in turn, can contribute to increased innovation, employee satisfaction, and overall success.

Strategies for Building Resilient Teams

Visibility and Presence

LeighAnn Sidone emphasizes, "Visibility, visibility, visibility – I can’t stress this one enough. It’s important to be there when times are tough and when everything is okay." Regular presence of leaders builds trust and creates open dialogue. When staff see leaders as real people without an agenda, it fosters a sense of security and openness.

Building Strong Relationships

Relationships are integral to resilience. "It is a strength to not have all the answers and allow yourself as a leader to be humble enough to rely on the talent of others," says Sidone. This approach lifts team members, making them feel purposeful and valued. Leaders who cultivate strong relationships empower their teams to thrive, even in difficult times.

Focusing on Wellbeing

At Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital, we use the "Wheel of Wellbeing" as a guiding principle. This holistic approach ensures that our employees feel supported across various aspects of their lives—financial, health, safety, belonging, purpose, and environment. When employees feel "loved up," they are more resilient and engaged.

Authenticity and Fun

Authenticity is a powerful tool for leaders. "Staff want to know you are a real human with real feelings," Sidone notes. Sharing personal thoughts or situations can strengthen connections with team members. Additionally, don’t be afraid to incorporate fun into the workplace. A little joy goes a long way in maintaining morale and resilience.

The Power of Women in Leadership: A Catalyst for Change

Women leaders bring unique perspectives and strengths that are vital for building resilient organizations. Their approach to visibility, relationship-building, and authenticity can transform workplace culture. At Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital, our heavily female and diverse leadership team has created an empowered, engaged, and happy workforce. This environment not only supports resilience but also drives innovation and excellence in patient care.

According to Catalyst, women represent about 25% of C-suite positions across all industries. In comparison, women hold approximately 18% of CEO, President roles in hospitals and healthcare settings in the U.S. This discrepancy highlights the significant gender gap in healthcare leadership despite the industry having a predominantly female workforce (Korn Ferry | Organizational Consulting) (World Economic Forum).

Mentoring and Grooming Future Leaders

To sustain resilience, it’s crucial to mentor and groom future leaders. Here are some strategies:

Create Opportunities for Growth: Encourage women and diverse team members to take on leadership roles and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.
Foster Inclusive Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship programs that focus on developing skills, building confidence, and providing guidance.
Promote a Culture of Continuous Learning: Support ongoing education and professional development to help leaders adapt to new challenges and technologies.

Women Leaders Engaging the Workforce

Women as leaders play a crucial role in engaging the larger workforce to see themselves in management and leadership roles. In healthcare, where the workforce is heavily female, it is especially important. According to Catalyst, women represent nearly 75% of the healthcare workforce but lag behind in leadership roles compared to other industries by 4-6% (McKinsey & Company). This discrepancy underscores the need for more proactive measures to promote women into leadership positions.

Conclusion

Resilience in healthcare is not just about surviving crises; it's about thriving amidst them. By focusing on visibility, relationships, wellbeing, and authenticity, and by leveraging the strengths of women in leadership, we can build and maintain resilient teams and operations. At Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital, these principles have created a thriving, engaged workforce that is prepared to face any challenge head-on. Supporting this is a single data point: we currently have 6% nursing turnover vs the industry average of 24%.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of healthcare, let’s remember the words of our President, Dr. LeighAnn Sidone: "Don’t be afraid to have a little fun and be a real person." This authenticity, combined with strategic leadership, is the key to a resilient and successful healthcare organization.

*While I interviewed LeighAnn, these are words of my own, anything taken directly from LeighAnn are in quotes and do not represent Johns Hopkins or Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital in any way.