Article

Being in a top leadership role in healthcare has never been more challenging. The pressures are increasingly intense as government mandates, public scrutiny, staffing shortages, strained finances, and crushing expectations permeate your days. If you find yourself feeling alone on your leadership journey, drained, disheartened or even hopeless, please know that you are not alone.

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Incredibly, up to 97% of executives struggle with loneliness, so much so that it compromises their health, decision-making and sense of purpose.

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This is NOT a personal failing. What this widespread loneliness signals is a systemic culture issue that still expects leaders to function as lone wolves, primarily disconnected from the people they serve. In these frenzied transactional environments, the truth of our shared humanity gets reduced to roles, returns and rigid power differentials.

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What kind of action can be taken?

The solutions to healthcare’s mounting pressures will never arise from isolated, exhausted leaders. They will emerge from courageous, connected cultures that uplift our healers’ oaths and link arms around our common hopes. Cultures that value leaders as humans first—promoting trust, diversity, empowerment and meaning as integral to business outcomes.

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You play an invaluable role in cultivating this cultural shift. 

• Your vulnerability and commitment catalyzes thriving in those around you. 
• Your empathy and empowerment liberates untapped potential. 
• Your compassion and conviction anchors and aligns your team’s sense of purpose. 
• By deliberately connecting to self and others, you generate renewable energy to meet escalating challenges. 

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The cost of leadership loneliness has become too steep. The time for positive systemic change is now. Take heart that small steps toward valuing your needs ripple out in service of our shared vision for healthcare. 

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You matter. Your humanity matters. Our future is counting on compassionate, courageous, connected leaders just like you. 

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Seize the opportunity for change

Delve into the intricacies of loneliness among leaders and uncover valuable insights and solutions for transforming systems into environments where ALL people can thrive—including you.

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Download the Institute for Healthcare Excellence white paper here:

The Power of Connected Leadership

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