Herr – How to Pick a Job and Be an Effective Leader

Dr. Daniel Herr is the Chief of Surgical ICU Services and also the Director of our Cardiac Surgery ICU at the University of Maryland.  Dr. Herr is known internationally for his contributions in the management of ICU delirium, but is also an incredible leader.  Adding to our leadership series, Dr. Herr gave this phenomenal talk on how find the right job and be an effective leader.  Once you do find the right job, what next?  Regardless of your administrative responsibilities, if your job requires you manage a team of people, this is a CAN’T MISS discussion that is jam packed with leadership pearls and pitfalls.

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Finding & Starting a New Job 

• Rule #1: Be introspective – know what you want to do
• Rule #2: Cast a wide net, start early, and be patient
• Rule #3: Have goals, and stand out.  Every year, come up with 3 goals: one for yourself, one for the ICU, and one for the hospital.
• Rule #4: Start HUMBLE, learn the culture, & listen. Take notes on a daily basis.
• Rule #5: Meet key players, learn names, make connections quickly

How to be an Effective Boss

• Listen first, act second.
• Build a team. It’s not about YOU, its all about US
• Be a role model.  EVERYONE is watching. The front desk clerk, nurse, resident, fellow, maintenance staff.
• Empower your staff to contribute to clinical and administrative decision making.

• Thixotrophy: Certain gels or fluids that are thick (viscous) under static conditions will flow (become thin, less viscous) over time when shaken, agitated, or otherwise stressed (time dependent viscosity)

• Apply the concept of thixotrophy to administrative change.   Change takes time and reinforcement.  Be patient and get used to delayed gratification.
• Adopt first, then reinvent, then refine.
• Be LEAN. Give options, but minimize them.  Become an expert at a few things, and do them very well.
• Address Conflict.  Be aggressive with addressing interpersonal conflict in your ICU.  It is the most common cause of burnout which leads to staff turnover.
• Be Present.  Know everything that’s happening in your ICU. Don’t be the person who lives in their office.