In healthcare, it’s often assumed that clinical excellence is a direct pathway to leadership. You’re a skilled physician, nurse, or allied health professional, so naturally, you’re ready to lead others. Right? Not exactly. As Dr. Ian Alexander emphasizes in his book Thrust into Leadership, being a high performer doesn’t always translate into effective leadership.

The Promotion That Comes Without a Playbook

Many healthcare professionals are “thrust” into leadership roles based on their outstanding clinical skills, only to discover that the tools that made them great clinicians are not enough. Leadership comes with its own skill set: communication, delegation, empathy, conflict resolution, and more. Yet most new team leads receive little or no training in these areas.

What Makes Clinical Excellence Different from Leadership Excellence?

A top-tier clinician is usually recognized for precision, independence, and the ability to solve problems. But effective leaders operate differently. They must guide a team, build trust, delegate tasks, and often take responsibility for mistakes they didn’t personally make. Instead of “doing it all,” leaders must empower others to shine.

Solo Hero vs. Heavenly Patience: A Lesson in Leadership Styles

In Thrust into Leadership, Dr. Alexander introduces fictional composites like Solo Hero and Heavenly Patience. Solo, a brilliant clinician, struggles with trusting the team, often taking on too much and burning out. Heavenly, by contrast, embraces collaboration, listens, delegates wisely, and gains the respect of peers. These examples highlight how leadership is not about doing more. It is about doing differently.

The Hidden Cost of Mismatched Expectations

When new leaders are unprepared, it affects more than their own stress levels. It impacts team morale, patient outcomes, and workplace culture. High-performing clinicians may find themselves isolated, overwhelmed, or resented by colleagues if they fail to shift their mindset from individual contributor to team guide.

Learning to Lead: A New Kind of Skill Building

Leadership in small healthcare teams requires intentional growth. As Dr. Alexander recommends, developing skills like vulnerability, active listening, and team empowerment is critical. Books, mentorship, and continued reflection can provide a foundation, but the real learning happens in the day-to-day interactions with your team.

Leadership Is a Practice, Not a Promotion

Just as no one becomes a great clinician overnight, no one becomes a great leader by title alone. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to learn from others. The good news? With the right mindset and guidance, every skilled clinician can become a leader worth following.
Want to lead with confidence? Start by understanding the difference between doing and guiding. Grab your copy of Thrust into Leadership by Dr. Ian Alexander and learn how to grow into the leader your team needs.