Helping Leaders Navigate Conflict to Build Stronger Collaboration
What happens when a leader’s growth vision is overshadowed by their strained organizational relationships? This was the core challenge facing Dr. Lilian Abrams, TLD Group Faculty Member, when she began coaching a physician leader in a rapidly expanding southeastern US healthcare system. This leader's strategic vision was clear, but the challenging interpersonal dynamics he had with his direct manager threatened not only implementation of his vision, but his own tenure as a leader. In this edition of our Faculty Highlight Series, we explore how Lilian guided this leader from conflict to collaboration, transforming both his professional impact and his team’s growth trajectory.
Guiding Leaders Through Growth, Grit, and Gut Instinct
What happens when brilliance outpaces connection? That was the core question Ted Witherell, TLD Group Faculty Member, set out to explore with one of his recent coaching clients—a high-performing scientist at a Boston-based pharmaceutical organization, whose strategic mind had carried him far but whose interpersonal approach was holding him back. In this edition of our Faculty Highlight Series, we dive into how Ted helped this leader evolve from an individual contributor with vision into a senior executive who could inspire, influence, and elevate others across a rapidly expanding organization.
From Direct Care to Executive Leadership: A Nurse’s Journey
At TLD Group, we are proud to highlight the expertise of our faculty members, whose deep experience and strategic insights empower leaders across the health ecosystem. This month, we feature Marsha Hughes-Rease, MSN, MSOD, PCC, an executive coach and tenured TLD Group Faculty Member dedicated to supporting senior leaders and executives in navigating complex transitions and enhancing their leadership impact.
Navigating Leadership Transitions in Healthcare
Leadership transitions are pivotal moments for any organization, requiring a thoughtful and strategic approach to ensure continuity and success. For OSF HealthCare, founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, supporting leadership succession during a period of significant growth was a top priority. With operations spanning 16 hospitals across Illinois and Michigan and more than 24,000 Mission Partners, OSF HealthCare partnered with TLD Group to prepare for these transitions. Paul Erdahl, PhD, LP, a seasoned TLD Group executive coach and succession expert, guided this complex process to help ensure long-term leadership effectiveness.
A funny thing is happening among senior leadership teams in health systems (and other sectors as well). More and more clients are telling us that multiple members of their senior leadership teams, starting with the CEO on down, could retire if they wanted to. Then they are quick to say “But of course, no one has any immediate plans to retire,--and that’s a good thing because we really don’t have any real successors.” That statement is often followed by some nervous laughter, and maybe someone muttering “We really need to do something about a succession plan.” Then it’s usually onto the next subject.
Focus on your Talent : The Importance of Succession Management
Developing strong talent and building bench strength within an organization’s workforce enhances the financial value of an organization.1 However, the market has been faced with a talent shortage, leaving key roles unfilled or filled with personnel not fit for the position.2,3 This requires a strategic approach to succession management, that includes:
There’s a new war for talent upon us as organizations face both planned and unplanned retirements coming out of the pandemic. We know that those companies with formalized succession plans are better prepared to respond to the increasingly competitive landscape for recruiting new talent and retaining existing talent.
Building a High-Performing Team in a Global Pharmaceutical Company
Leadership transitions, particularly in highly specialized industries like pharmaceuticals, can present unique challenges. When our client, a global pharmaceutical company, hired a new R&D global regulatory affairs head, they reached out to TLD Group for assimilation and team development support. The new leader chose Janet Polach, a seasoned TLD Group leadership executive coach, to assist her in assimilating to the organization’s culture and creating a high performing team.
