
Episode 205: Why Great Patient Experiences Begin with Great Leadership with Melissa Gilkes-Smith
Healthcare Leadership ExcellenceShow Notes
In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Gilkes-Smith, healthcare operations consultant, doctoral candidate, and founder of The Focused Leader, to explore what truly shapes the patient experience and why it starts long before a patient enters the exam room. With more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Melissa shares practical insights on improving operations while creating cultures where both patients and employees thrive. We discuss the importance of understanding the entire...
More from Healthcare Leadership Excellence
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Diane Dye, founder of People Risk Consulting, to discuss how leaders can approach change, innovation, and organizational challenges without creating unnecessary chaos. Dr. Dye brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in high-stakes industries, including healthcare and behavioral health. We explore how some organizations turned the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic into opportunities for growth, while others struggled to move beyond their tradi...
In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Rob Orman for another conversation about his book, Supranormal, and the mindset and practices that help healthcare professionals thrive in demanding careers. We begin by exploring the difference between empathy and compassion, and why caring for others doesn't mean taking ownership of their outcomes. Dr. Orman introduces the drama triangle and explains how stepping outside the roles of hero, victim, and villain can lead to more productive conversations, pa...
In this episode, I welcome back Kim Best, founder of Best Conflict Solutions, for another conversation about the practical skills leaders need to navigate conflict and build stronger relationships. We explore why finding common ground can be so difficult, especially when emotions are running high. Kim explains why leaders need to recognize the emotions behind people's reactions and how slowing down, listening, and asking better questions can prevent difficult conversations from escalating. We...
In this episode, I sit down with Claudia Crist, a healthcare executive and leadership consultant with more than 30 years of experience, to discuss leading through change, building resilience, and creating workplaces where people want to stay. Claudia shares lessons from her leadership journey, including navigating the challenges of COVID-19 while leading a mental health clinic in Hawaii. We discuss why constant change takes a toll on employees and how leaders can help their teams manage stres...
In this episode, I welcome my longtime mentor and coach, Paul Martinelli, for a conversation about personal growth, self-limiting beliefs, discipline, and leadership. Paul's influence on my own development over the past decade has been significant, and I'm pleased to share some of his wisdom with our listeners. We begin by exploring the beliefs that hold us back, including the inner critic Paul calls “Norm.” He explains how our self-image, past experiences, and fear of failure can quietly inf...