Physician as Leader III: From Theory to Practice Regarding General Competencies

With this caveat in mind, I turn to McKenna and Pugno’s identification of general (generic) leadership competencies—and character elements. I then consider how these competencies and character elements are impacted by the culture in which physician leaders.

General Leadership Competencies and Character Elements

Throughout their book, McKenna and Pugno offer lists of leadership competencies that they have borrowed from other leadership scholars, from their research findings and from their own experiences of working in health systems.

I first offer a very traditional list of competencies that comes from John MacArthur’s biblically based study of leadership. Twenty-six competencies are listed by McKenna and Pugno (2006, p. 133):

1. A leader is trustworthy.
2. A leader takes the initiative.
3. A leader uses good judgment.
4. A leader speaks with authority.
5. A leader strengthens others.
6. A leader is optimistic and enthusiastic.
7. A leader never compromises the absolutes.
8. A leader focuses on objectives, not obstacles.
9. A leader empowers by example.
10. A leader cultivates loyalty.
11. A leader has empathy for others.
12. A leader keeps a clear conscience.
13. A leader is definite and decisive.
14. A leader knows when to change his mind.
15. A leader does not abuse his authority.
16. A leader doesn’t abdicate his role in the face of opposition.
17. A leader is sure of his calling.
18. A leader knows his own limitations.
19. A leader is resilient.
20. A leader is passionate.
21. A leader is courageous.
22. A leader is discerning.
23. A leader is disciplined.
24. A leader is energetic.
25. A leader knows how to delegate.
26. A leader is Christlike.