I would add another dimension to the Golden Yellow style of Steadiness. We are steady and do not stumble over logs when moving down a well-lite pathway. The Golden Yellow leader of steadiness seeks illumination from the sun. This is the thoughtful Golden Yellow of dispassionate, knowledgeable leadership. What is our current reality? As noted by Howard Smith and his colleagues (quoted by McKenna and Pugno (2006, p. 71}, there is a preference for the light of Golden Yellow among many health care leaders, such as William Jessee:
“A few years ago, while speaking at the Academy of Management, William Jessee, MD, FACMPE offered the following hypothesis: Management decision making in healthcare organizations, if based on external research and internally gathered evidence, can increase the likelihood of positive organizational outcomes as measured by financial performance, satisfaction (among patients, employees, and physicians) and clinical results.”
In his comments, Dr. Jessee turns specifically to the role currently played by evidence-based medicine in contemporary health care—as well as the role that should be played (McKenna and Pugno, 2006, p. 71):
“Dr. Jessee then explained that evidence-based medicine began 30 years ago and has had a long torturous path to acceptance. Too often, physicians would say “I’ve seen … therefore I believe … “. The concept of randomized trials, meta-analysis, and other tools of evidence-based medicine came from non-medical fields. More research is needed regarding the reasons underlying the gap between the existence of evidence and real shifts in clinical practice – say, for example, the use of beta blockers after myocardial infarction or retinal exams for diabetics. Why are some innovations quickly accepted, yet others are not? Evidence-based medicine is still not universally applied, but it has become the generally accepted mode for clinical decision making. Most healthcare professionals believe in evidence-based medicine, but don’t practice evidence-based management.”
We must shed light on where we are right now, so that we don’t stumble forth in the darkness. We can be loyal and committed to a specific purpose because this purpose is clear and thoughtfully conceived. We can be loyal to our team because its members operate in a rational manner and are considerate of one another.
The path forward for the Golden Yellow leader who is steadfast will be discovered and illuminated only when we have sufficient Information. Heaven for the Steadfast Golden Yellow health care leader exists in the bookstores and journals of their profession. One of McKenna and Pugno’s (2006, p. 163) leaders waxed poetic about the role played by books during their formative years:
“I fell in love with the medical book section at Barnes and Nobe on 5th Avenues just outside of Greenwich Village in New York City. The shelves containing medical texts were canyons of vast medical knowledge which allowed the “want-to-be” doctor in me to run wild. [Andrew Schwartz, MD, Cardiac Surgeon, Vice President, Medical Staff, Shawnee Mission Medical Center]”
