Leading Teams, Big & Small | Limitless Leaders Edition: S20 Ep103

Effective leadership begins with understanding people, building trust, and creating an environment where individuals and teams can thrive.

Leading a surgical team requires more than clinical expertise or professional authority. From navigating difficult conversations to developing future leaders, successful leadership depends on adaptability, collaboration, and the ability to balance individual needs with organizational priorities. Whether managing a small clinical team or an entire department, understanding how to motivate, support, and empower others is essential to building a strong workplace culture.

Host Donna Tepper, MD, welcomes Andrea Pusic, MD, Amy Moore, MD, and Vedra Augenstein, MD, for a LIMITLESS Leaders discussion exploring the practical foundations of effective leadership. Drawing on their experiences leading academic departments, surgical teams, research initiatives, and professional societies, the panelists share how their leadership styles have evolved throughout their careers. They examine strategies for hiring and developing strong teams, encouraging honest feedback, navigating difficult conversations, and maintaining professional boundaries. The conversation also explores mentorship, recognizing burnout, balancing institutional expectations with individual aspirations, and creating a culture where team members feel valued and supported.

Topics Discussed

• Developing an authentic and adaptable leadership style
• Navigating leadership opportunities and overcoming professional barriers
• Building collaborative, high-performing surgical teams
• Hiring individuals who align with organizational values
• Encouraging honest feedback and psychological safety
• Managing difficult conversations and maintaining professional boundaries
• Supporting mentorship and developing future leaders
• Balancing clinical responsibilities, administrative demands, and personal priorities
• Recognizing burnout and fostering a supportive workplace culture
• Leading with purpose while maintaining accountability

Key Takeaways

• Develop your leadership style. Recognize that effective leadership evolves through experience, feedback, mentorship, and adapting to different situations.
• Build a culture of collaboration. Surround yourself with individuals who bring different perspectives, contribute meaningful ideas, and share a commitment to organizational success.
• Hire with intention. Look beyond credentials to understand candidates' motivations, professional values, and ability to contribute to a supportive, high-performing team.
• Seek honest feedback. Establish trusted relationships where colleagues feel comfortable sharing constructive observations, concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Approach difficult conversations with curiosity. Address challenges directly while remaining respectful, considering different perspectives, and focusing on solutions rather than confrontation.
• Balance approachability with professionalism. Create meaningful connections with team members while maintaining appropriate boundaries, fairness, and accountability.
• Invest in future leaders. Identify promising colleagues, provide opportunities for professional growth, and share the knowledge gained through your own leadership experiences.
• Recognize signs of burnout. Pay attention to changes in engagement, productivity, and workload, and provide individualized support before challenges become more difficult to manage.
• Lead with purpose. Help team members pursue meaningful professional goals while managing institutional expectations and supporting excellent patient care.
• View balance over time. Recognize that personal and professional priorities evolve, and establish boundaries that support long-term fulfillment rather than expecting perfect balance every day.

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