The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Review Article

CME Article: Physician Leader, Humble Thyself: Balancing Narcissism and Humility in Healthcare Leadership

Authors: D. Matthew Sherrer, MD, MBA, Nathan A. Fischer, MD, Kate McCombs, PhD

Abstract

Data on expert leadership have shown numerous benefits, including enhanced job satisfaction, productivity, and job retention. Similarly, many of the top hospitals in the United States are physician led; however, the training of a successful physician and that of a successful healthcare administrator often are significantly different. Here, we specifically discuss the balance of narcissism and humility in leadership as it pertains to physicians transitioning from clinical careers to healthcare administrative roles.

 

Full Article

Having trouble viewing the article content below? Click here to open it directly.

References

1. Rohlin M. How Jason Kidd went from superstar player to successful coach. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/how-jason-kidd-went-from-superstar-player-to-successful-coach. Published May 20, 2022. Accessed March 17, 2023.
 
2. National Basketball Association, . et al. https://www.nba.com/hof-players-turned-coaches-nba-history. Accessed March 17, 2023.
 
3. Conroy JM, Lubarsky D, Newman MF. Anesthesiologists as health system leaders: why it works. Anesth Analg 2022;134:235-240.
 
4. Artz B, Goodall A, Oswald AJ. If your boss could do your job, you’re more likely to be happy at work. https://hbr.org/2016/12/if-your-boss-could-do-your-job-youre-more-likely-to-be-happy-at-work. Published December 29, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2023.
 
5. Stoller JK. Developing physician-leaders: a call to action. J Gen Intern Med 2009;24:876-878.
 
6. Goodall A, Bäker A. Why the best hospitals are managed by doctors. https://hbr.org/2016/12/why-the-best-hospitals-are-managed-by-doctors. Published December 27, 2016. Accessed March 17, 2023.
 
7. Henriques G. Was Steve Jobs’ narcissism justified? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/201201/was-steve-jobs-narcissism-justified. Published January 20, 2012. Accessed March 17, 2023.
 
8. Falco A, Girardi D, Di Sipio A, et al. Is narcissism associated with heavy work investment? The moderating role of workload in the relationship between narcissism, workaholism, and work engagement. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:4750.
 
9. Owens BP, Wallace AS, Waldman DA. Leader narcissism and follower outcomes: the counterbalancing effect of leader humility. J Appl Psychol 2015; 100:1203-1213.
 
10. Watts AL, Lilienfeld SO, Smith SF, et al. The double-edged sword of grandiose narcissism: implications for successful and unsuccessful leadership among US presidents. Psychol Sci 2013;24:2379-2389.
 
11. Maccoby M. Narcissistic leaders: the incredible pros, the inevitable cons. https://hbr.org/2004/01/narcissistic-leaders-the-incredible-pros-the-inevitable-cons. Published January 2004. Accessed June 1, 2023.
 
12. Lee TH. Turning doctors into leaders. https://hbr.org/2010/04/turning-doctors-into-leaders. Published April 2010. Accessed April 6, 2023.
 
13. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham. https://www.uab.edu/medicine/anesthesiology/education/fellowships/perioperative-leadership-fellowship. Accessed March 17, 2023.