How to Be an Effective Team Leader and Committee Member or Chair

Abstract

Academic leaders are often chosen based on their academic success and reputation in the core mission of research over teaching and patient care. However, leadership of a team, committee, or department in an Academic Medical Center (AMC) also requires knowledge of clinical operations and finances, as well as administrative and managerial skills that are usually not part of the academic medical education or career. Many AMCs have recognized the need for effective physician leaders to successfully advance innovation and improve the clinical care of patients. They offer educational programs to help their faculty grow into leadership roles spanning the traditional silos of hospital administration, clinical care, research, and education of the next generation of physicians and scientists. The academic physician is encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. The skills one will learn will greatly benefit one’s academic career even if one does not choose a traditional leadership position.