The Transformational Leader's Guide to Communication, Feedback and Growth

Leadership in healthcare is more complex than ever. The stakes are high, and the challenges continue to evolve. To meet the demands of today’s healthcare landscape, leaders must excel in communication, provide meaningful feedback and commit to ongoing growth. The traditional, top-down approach to leadership is being replaced by a more inclusive model that emphasizes connection, trust and collaboration.

In a discussion with Glenn Llopis, a leadership strategist, best-selling author and contributor to Forbes, we delved into the concept of transformational leadership and the need to let go of outdated leadership practices. Transformational leadership focuses on empowering teams rather than controlling them, on listening rather than commanding and on creating a culture where every team member feels valued. Below are key elements of this leadership style that can help shape the future of healthcare teams.

Communication: Fostering Trust Over Control

For years, healthcare leadership was synonymous with control—directing every decision and managing outcomes. Given the precision required in healthcare, this approach might seem appealing. However, as Glenn emphasizes “leadership in today’s age of personalization is rooted in building connections, not asserting control.”

Leaders must prioritize trust and transparency. This means communicating openly with teams and being receptive to their input. Open, honest conversations and active listening encourage a culture where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. The aim is to create an environment where communication flows freely and everyone’s voice is heard.

Shifting away from a controlling style to one that encourages dialogue enables teams to be more creative and solution oriented. This change enhances productivity and creates an atmosphere of collaboration and trust that drives individual and collective growth.

Leadership Reflection: How can I foster communication that builds trust and ensures transparency across my team?

Providing Feedback that Inspires Growth

Feedback is one of the most impactful leadership tools, but only when delivered thoughtfully. Glenn and I agree that feedback should be clear, actionable and relevant to each individual. Too often, feedback can feel like a mere formality or a critique. In reality, it should focus on nurturing growth, recognizing strengths and providing constructive advice for improvement. As Glenn highlights in his book, Unleashing Individuality, “personalized feedback empowers individuals to align their unique talents with the team’s overarching objectives, fostering both personal and collective growth."

When feedback is delivered in a way that highlights strengths and encourages progress, employees feel more motivated, supported and engaged in their work. This is the essence of transformational leadership—helping people develop professionally while creating a culture of continuous learning.

Leadership Reflection: How can I ensure that my feedback fosters growth and helps team members feel encouraged and supported?

Leading with Purpose

In healthcare, it’s not enough to assign tasks and give orders. True leadership requires helping teams see how their work aligns with the organization’s larger mission. Glenn made an important point:

Effective leadership today is less about controlling the outcome and more about ensuring everyone understands their role in achieving the organization’s goals.

When leaders align decisions and actions with the organization’s core values and mission, teams are more likely to feel a sense of purpose and responsibility. Understanding how individual roles contribute to the organization's overall success—especially in healthcare, where each role directly impacts patient care—boosts accountability and motivation.

As leaders, we must communicate what needs to be done and why it matters. When people understand the purpose behind their work, they become more focused, engaged and committed to the organization’s success.

Leadership Reflection: How can I help my team see how their work fits into the broader organizational mission and reinforces our purpose?

Building a Culture of Collaboration for Sustainable Change

In a complex field like healthcare, where patient care often involves multiple departments and specialties, the best results come from leveraging the expertise and perspectives of diverse team members. In my experience, the most successful teams encourage collaboration as a fundamental part of their daily work. Leaders who foster cross-functional teamwork, break down silos and embrace diverse viewpoints create stronger, more effective teams.

By shifting the focus from hierarchical leadership to one that empowers everyone to contribute, we build an environment where innovation can thrive and ideas flow freely. As Glenn shares in his latest book, Make Reinvention Your Superpower, “today’s leaders must unlearn outdated habits, challenge conventional thinking, and embrace collaborative methods that inspire shared success.”

Leadership Reflection: How can I create a collaborative environment that values diverse ideas and fosters continuous innovation?

Incorporating these principles can transform the way healthcare organizations lead and grow. As Glenn and I discussed, leaders today must be adaptable, empathetic and always open to learning. Reflecting on these concepts can help you develop a leadership style that drives success and empowers your team to make a lasting impact in the healthcare field.

Collaboration makes us stronger. Feel free to leave a comment below or email me at scott@drscottwolf.com—I’d love to hear your thoughts!