Successful Physical Therapy Clinic Leaders Share Similar Skill Sets

After reviewing an article in Forbes by Jenn Lofgren, Founder, Incito Executive and Leadership Development Consultant, we found some useful thoughts for physical therapy clinic leaders.  According to Dr Bene Brown, in her book “The Courage to Lead”, there are four skillsets for courageous leadership.  When we reviewed these skill sets, they were very applicable to the skills required to be a good Physical Therapy clinic leader. Here is a bit more about how these skills can apply to Physical Therapy leadership.

Having a comfort level with vulnerability is such an important skill for Physical Therapists because so often patients healing and restoration to healthy routines is not in their control.  Effective leaders are comfortable coaching patients and other team members to find the answers that best fit the person’s circumstances. Physical therapist’s need to be able to provide straight forward and helpful feedback. This feedback is most helpful when it is clear as well as empathetic. The key is to let the patient or person being coached decide what to do based the feedback provided. It is important to know what might trigger a less productive type of patient communication which physical therapist should be aware of. For example, some people revert to people pleasing which may confuse the message and is not as clear.

Focusing on clear values and intentions in the workplace. Brown recommends naming the values by writing them down. She suggested it is important to have ways to be clear on whether you are living your values in your behaviors and what are the key indicators are that you are following your intentions, values, and beliefs. This is a useful exercise for a leader of any business, but it is especially important in a patient centered business.

Being able to trust and being the first to trust others. Being people persons, Physical Therapists have an intuition of who to trust. As a clinic leader, it is useful to use good business judgment and good judgement about people as well as being able to trust yourself. Trust can help speed results and reduce costs when working in a service and care provider organization.  Good clinic leaders know how to establish an environment of trust.

Brown also talks about “Learning to Rise”. A good leader also knows how to recognize and respond to fear and to stay on track with trustworthy, value-based communication even when fear is present in a conversation.

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