Building Leadership Capabilities in Human Performance Healthcare

Many leaders in human performance strive for perfection—to have all the answers, make flawless decisions, and maintain control. However, research suggests that effective leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about adaptability, humility, and collaboration. Building leadership in human performance healthcare is therefore far more complex than perfection.

In elite sports, where uncertainty, change, and high-pressure decisions are part of daily life, leaders must embrace imperfection and focus on empowering their teams rather than trying to be the sole decision-maker.

This post explores three key shifts in leadership thinking:

  1. Why perfectionism can hold leaders back
  2. How servant leadership improves team performance
  3. Why power should be shared, not hoarded

 

 

  1. Let Go of Perfectionism – Embrace Imperfection Instead

Many healthcare leaders feel pressure to be perfect—but in reality, leadership is about continuous learning and problem-solving. Ancona et al. (2007) highlight that leaders should embrace imperfection by identifying their strengths and weaknesses and building diverse teams that complement their skills.

 

Why Perfectionism Can Be Harmful in Leadership:
  • It creates bottlenecks – If every decision must go through one leader, progress slows down.
  • It discourages team autonomy – Staff may hesitate to take initiative if they fear making mistakes.
  • It leads to burnout – Leaders trying to control everything risk exhaustion and poor decision-making.

 

A Better Approach: Lead with Transparency
  • Admit when you don’t have all the answers – This builds trust and encourages collaborative problem-solving.
  • Empower team members to take ownership – Encourage staff to make decisions and learn from mistakes.
  • Create a culture of learning, not blame – Mistakes should be seen as opportunities for growth.

 

Actionable Tip: Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on progress—ask yourself, “What small improvement can we make today?”

 

 

  1. Shift from Authority to Service – Become a Servant Leader

Traditional leadership is about giving orders. Modern leadership is about removing barriers so your team can perform at their best. This is the foundation of servant leadership, where leaders focus on supporting and enabling others rather than exercising control.

 

What Does Servant Leadership Look Like in Human Performance Healthcare?
  • Prioritizing the needs of your team – Check in with staff to understand their challenges and frustrations.
  • Coaching rather than directing – Instead of telling people what to do, guide them to find their own solutions.
  • Celebrating collective success – Shift the focus from leader-driven achievements to team-driven progress.

 

Example: Servant Leadership in Action

A high-performance healthcare leader might ask:
❌ “How can I get my team to work harder?”
✅ “What obstacles are preventing my team from performing at their best, and how can I remove them?”

 

Actionable Tip: Schedule regular one-on-one check-ins with team members to ask, “How can I support you better?”

 

 

  1. Redefine Power – Shift from Control to Influence

Many leaders associate power with title and hierarchy—but in reality, the most effective leaders build influence through relationships, not authority.

According to Lingo & McGinn (2020), leadership power comes from three key dimensions:

  1. Situational Power – Leaders must adapt their leadership approach based on the context (e.g., crisis vs. daily operations).
  2. Relational Power – Leadership influence comes from trust and credibility, not just position.
  3. Dynamic Power – Power isn’t fixed—leaders must continuously earn respect through actions, not just status.

 

How to Apply This in Human Performance Healthcare:
  • Encourage shared decision-making – Involve team members in setting protocols and refining processes.
  • Leverage expertise rather than hierarchy – Recognize that leadership can come from any level in a team.
  • Build trust through transparency – Leaders who openly communicate decisions build stronger, more engaged teams.

 

Actionable Tip: Ask yourself, “How can I use my influence to elevate others, rather than just directing them?”

 

 

Conclusion

Modern leadership isn’t about being perfect, giving orders, or hoarding power—it’s about adaptability, service, and influence. By shifting leadership thinking in these three areas, human performance healthcare leaders can build stronger, more resilient teams:

  • Embrace imperfection – Leadership is about progress, not perfection.
  • Serve others – The best leaders empower and support their teams.
  • Redefine power – Focus on influence, rather than control.

 

Leadership is one of the ten pillars for success in human performance healthcare teams. Explore the other pillars here.

 

 

Reference

Ancona, D., Malone, T., Orlikowski, W. J., & Senge, P. M. (2007, February). In Praise of the Incomplete Leader. Harvard Business Review, pp. 1-10.

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