Having become a “real” doctor, Dr. Schwartz and others like him, continues to read and gather information that is critical to their practice as physician and as leader. These are leaders who ensure that there are adequate resources available to achieve a goal. They listen carefully, so that no mistakes are made in receiving or analyzing the information. As one of McKenna and Pugno’s (2006, p. 141) leaders noted:
“Physician leaders listen to others’ input, in order to increase the likelihood of making optimal decisions and taking appropriate.”
This same physician indicated that an effective leader would listen carefully so that those with whom they work feel wanted and appreciated for their own knowledge and insights (McKenna and Pugno, 2006, p. 140.
“Effective physician leaders recognize the importance of focusing on the needs and interests of their constituencies. They make the time to get out there and listen to all their key stakeholders. And they let people know they’ve listened. [Richard Birrer, MD, MPH, MMM, CPE, Family, Emergency, Sports and Geriatric Medicine Physician]”
The world in which the Golden Yellow Steadfast leader operates most effectively requires objectivity and diverse perspectives that are offered in a respectful manner. McKenna and Pugno (2006, p. 179) offer the following insight provided by one of their physician leaders:
“Great achievements involve the cooperation of many minds. Nowhere is it truer than in healthcare because no one person is ever personally responsible for the care of a person. Quality healthcare requires effective communication between various health professionals. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and skills of other team members. This is highlighted by the all-too-frequent turf battles between specialists and primary care physicians. Whether we like it or not, doctors’ egos often get in the way of working with other healthcare professionals. Can you imagine going in for cardiac bypass surgery without the pump technician, the scrub nurse, the recovery room nurses, or the respiratory care team members? I can’t. The cardiac surgeon wouldn’t be as successful without the team, nor would any physician. Isn’t it time to think about how we communicate with and relate to the other members of our team? Respectful communication between team members can only enhance the quality of care we deliver. [Kevin J. Soden, MD, MPH Emergency Medicine Physician Medical Correspondent, NBC News, Soden Consulting Services].”
Unfortunately, we are now living in a world where two or more sets of data may portray quite different realities (Bergquist, VUCA-Plus). What does it mean for us to know that these different perceptions of reality are often dictated by political agendas, societal biases and a strong dose of arrogance and ignorance? The sunlight might be illuminating our reality, but there are also many shadows, and the sunlight has not penetrated all corners of our reality—especially those corners that are filled with anxiety and hatred (Weitz and Bergquist, 2024).
