The Power of Choice in Healthcare Leadership: Aligning with Values
– Rosa Edinga, MBA, PCC, CEC
As a healthcare leader, the choices you make every day ripple through your organization—affecting not only patient outcomes but also the engagement and well-being of your team. It’s easy to feel like there are forces beyond your control shaping your actions, from administrative demands to the pace of the system itself. But at the core of effective leadership is the realization that you always have a choice. The way you show up, the decisions you make, and the manner in which you lead can align with your values—even when the pressure is high.
Choosing How You Show Up
Healthcare is a system with countless moving parts, and the sense of urgency can often push leaders into reactive decision-making. But one of the most powerful tools you have as a leader is the ability to choose how you show up in any given moment. While it might feel like you’re at the mercy of the system’s demands, taking a step back to reflect on your values allows you to lead with intention rather than simply reacting.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about asking yourself, "Who do I want to be in this moment?" Whether you’re navigating a tough conversation, making a critical decision, or simply engaging with your team, you have the power to choose actions that reflect the leader you aspire to be. This intentional alignment with your values strengthens your leadership presence and creates a culture where people know what to expect from you, even in difficult times.
Grace in Moments of Misalignment
Even the most values-driven leaders will find moments when their actions don’t fully align with who they want to be. Maybe it’s a rushed decision that didn’t take all perspectives into account, or a response under pressure that lacked empathy. These moments can feel disheartening, but they’re also an opportunity for growth.
Offering yourself grace in these situations is key. It’s important to recognize that being a leader in healthcare means operating in a high-stakes, high-pressure environment. There will be times when you fall short of your own expectations, but those moments don’t define you. What matters is how you respond afterward. Do you take the time to reflect on the misalignment? Do you have the courage to acknowledge it, make amends where necessary, and adjust your course?
Leadership is not about never making mistakes—it’s about owning them and using them as stepping stones for becoming the leader you want to be. Practicing self-compassion and grace helps you stay resilient and gives you the mental space to learn from the experience without self-judgment.
Responsibility to Realign
When you recognize that your actions have fallen out of step with your values, you also have a responsibility to realign. This doesn’t mean harsh self-criticism or over-correcting; it means taking thoughtful, intentional steps to get back on track. Sometimes that might involve having a conversation with your team, offering an apology, or simply adjusting how you approach similar situations in the future.
Realigning with your values is not a one-time fix—it’s a continuous process. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to recognize when you’re drifting and to gently guide yourself back to where you want to be. Over time, this practice strengthens your integrity as a leader and builds trust with those you lead.
Ultimately, leadership in healthcare is about making conscious choices every day. You have the power to show up in ways that reflect your values, offer yourself grace when you slip, and take responsibility for getting back on track. These choices create a ripple effect, shaping not only your leadership but also the culture of your organization and the experiences of those around you.
