Leadership Challenges in ICU

A/Prof Neil OrfordDivisional Director ICUUniversity Hospital Geelonghttp://barwonhealthicu.com

Why think about leadership?

• Health has changed over 15-years

• Intensivist’s role

• What I lost the most sleep over

The challenges

• Finding your own style• Collaborate vs conflict• 5-year plan• Culture

Finding your own style

What it is…

Finding your own style

• Reflect• Learn • Mentors• Feedback• Nurture vs burnout• Teach it

Collaborate vs conflict

You think a change is needed

Conflict and tension exist System is comfortable

Check your judgement

Cognitive dissonance

Collaborate / steer

Review direction

Collaborate / steer

Review direction

Trust / integrity / respect

5-year plan and annual report

• Personal and unit• Sense of purpose and forced reflection• Accountability – Report activity, quality, education,

research, consumer, financial, leadership, programs• Safety v innovation• Corporate vs clinical: 5% savings vs 10% growth• Upward change• Success and failure: celebrate, learn, share• Timelines - Week, month, quarter, year, 5-year• Adapt

Culture

• United team• Explicitly communicate• House in order• Behaviour – Respect, trust• Nurture

Skills

Domain “Case load” Quality Education Self-reflection

Clinical

Leadership

Administrative

Personal