Navigating Leadership Transitions in Healthcare

In today’s fast-paced healthcare landscape, leadership transitions present both opportunities and risks. With Forbes reporting that 50-70% of newly hired CEOs fail within their first 18 months, the need for strong, strategic leadership is more critical than ever. Kimberly McNally, MN, RN, BCC, Senior Consultant with TLD Group, recently partnered with a CEO of a state hospital association as she navigated the complexities of stepping into the CEO role after a long-serving predecessor.

The organization was at a pivotal moment, and the new CEO needed to establish her leadership brand, influence, and effectiveness. The board had high expectations for immediate results, while the CEO had to quickly adapt to the cultural and operational nuances of the organization. The stakes were clear: failure could set the organization back, making the first year pivotal.

Coaching to Accelerate Performance and Build Trust

To meet these challenges, Kimberly utilized TLD Group’s Accelerated Assimilation(™) process to accelerate the CEO’s onboarding and performance and support a successful transition.

The engagement began with stakeholder interviews involving board members, direct reports, and other key figures to gain a holistic understanding of the organization's cultural nuances, business context and member expectations, forming the foundation for Kimberly’s coaching strategy.

Over the 12-month engagement, Kimberly’s one-on-one coaching sessions with the CEO covered critical leadership topics such as:

• Vision and values: Crafting a personal leadership brand and voice.
• Executive mindset: Fostering resilience and adaptability.
• Leading purposeful change: Strategically managing organizational transformation.
• Team dynamics: Enhancing the effectiveness of the senior team and fostering collaboration.
• Board partnership: Strengthening the relationship with the board and preparing for board meetings.
• Well-being and resilience: Maintaining personal well-being amidst the pressures of leadership.

Kimberly also facilitated an in-person senior team assimilation session, helping the CEO and her executive team develop team agreements and improve collaboration. This comprehensive, strategic approach provided the CEO with the tools and insights needed to lead with confidence.

Measurable Outcomes: Leadership Growth and Organizational Impact

Kimberly’s coaching delivered measurable outcomes, both for the CEO and the organization. Through the coaching process, the CEO:

• Built a strong partnership with the board, ensuring alignment on strategic goals.
• Developed an understanding of members' needs and priorities through active listening and engagement.
• Solidified and further developed her senior leadership team, fostering greater collaboration and morale.
• Assessed and acted on organizational culture opportunities, promoting operational excellence while envisioning new possibilities for the organization’s future.
• Led the team through initiatives that promoted professional growth, capacity-building, and well-being.

One of the key indicators of success was the board’s feedback. Board members expressed strong confidence in the CEO’s leadership and performance during her first year. The CEO is now well-positioned to lead the organization through its next phase of strategic priorities.

“Navigating a new role in a new organization presented a myriad of challenges. Working with an executive coach, as a part of my onboarding, was an investment in my success, ensuring I could hit the ground running and maximize my performance. Regardless of the role you’ve achieved, if you want to continue to learn and grow, you can benefit from a coach.”  

 President & CEO of State Hospital Association

A Personal Mission: Transforming Healthcare Leadership

For Kimberly, this engagement was more than a professional assignment—it was an extension of her personal mission: improving healthcare one conversation at a time. With a rich background in coaching nursing, physician, and administrative leaders, Kimberly takes pride in supporting her clients through critical transitions, helping them unlock their full potential and lead with purpose.

Reflecting on her experience working with TLD Group clients, Kimberly says, “It’s been a pleasure to work with leaders who are so deeply committed to transforming themselves and their organizations. TLD Group holds its coaches to the highest standards, and I’m proud to be part of this incredible network.”

Looking Ahead: Future Trends in Leadership Development

As Kimberly continues to guide leaders through transitions, she is particularly excited about the future of leadership development in healthcare. With a focus on relational awareness and neuroscience-based leadership, Kimberly is constantly seeking new ways to support her clients in navigating complex challenges with agility and insight.

Her work centers on helping leaders embrace change, build resilience, and cultivate the emotional intelligence necessary to lead authentic, collaborative teams. Kimberly believes these skills are essential for the future of healthcare leadership, particularly as the industry faces an increasingly uncertain and dynamic environment.

Interested in learning more about Kimberly McNally’s work with TLD Group? Connect with us to explore the impact of her coaching on healthcare leadership.