Crafting the Superstar Leader in Healthcare Communications: Harnessing Key Professional and Personal Traits

In the dynamic and demanding world of healthcare communications agencies, leadership excellence is pivotal. A recent survey of our network has identified six essential traits—three professional and three personal—that define an exemplary leader in the eyes of employees. By integrating these top traits, senior leaders can not only cultivate a thriving workplace culture but also enhance staff retention and attract top talent. This article explores how accountability, transparency, collaboration, communication, empathy, and trust shape the superstar leader in healthcare communications. 

Quick Breakdown of the Top Results

Professional Traits:

Accountability – 72%

Transparency – 52%

Collaboration – 41%

Personal Traits:

Communication – 76%

Empathy – 57%

Trust – 50%

In the words of Vanilla Ice, "Stop, Collaborate and listen!"

Accountable leaders who take responsibility for their actions and decisions, set a standard of integrity and reliability. By holding themselves accountable, leaders promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement in their teams. It shows them as dependable and trustworthy leaders and motivates those around them to take ownership of their work, leading to greater engagement and productivity.

Transparency is crucial for creating an open and honest workplace environment. Leaders who communicate openly about company goals, challenges, and decisions build a culture of trust and respect. By involving employees as much as possible in the decision-making process, morale and engagement are boosted. Employees stand behind decisions and have investment from the start. This, coupled with honest and clear communication during times of change, minimises employee anxiety and resistance.

Collaboration is essential for driving innovation and productivity. Leaders who prioritise teamwork create a cohesive and supportive environment. Collaboration cultivates a culture of creativity and innovation where all ideas are valued and shared equally. Working together and being heard enables all team members to tackle challenges head-on and achieve the best possible results, strengthening relationships within teams.

Communication is the lifeline of effective leadership. Leaders who excel in communication ensure that their teams are well-informed, heard, and motivated. Clear and consistent communication fosters a sense of belonging and engagement among employees. It helps in setting and managing expectations, reducing misunderstandings, and enhancing productivity.

Empathy is essential for understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of team members. Empathetic leaders build strong, supportive relationships with their teams. They are attuned to the emotional and mental well-being of their employees, creating a supportive work environment and harmonious workplace where conflicts can be navigated quickly and effectively. By understanding and valuing diverse perspectives, empathetic leaders build strong, cohesive teams.

Trust is fundamental to building strong, high-performing teams. Leaders who build trust create a safe and supportive environment where employees can thrive. This establishes a culture of openness and honesty, where employees feel safe to express their ideas and concerns.

Hristo Deyanov, MD and Founder of TWO Communications said “As the leader of a boutique agency with a fully remote workforce, these are the qualities upon which I have based our strategic growth plan.  With their hierarchical structure and obsession with timesheets, many of the larger healthcare communications agencies have not always operated with these corporate values.  This means that we, as the current leaders, did not necessarily come through the ranks in a culture of transparency and trust, which, at times, made it very difficult to stay motivated or invested in the company we worked for. 

This survey provides clear evidence that we must now lead by example and be accountable for our actions.  But more than that, we must take responsibility for developing the emotional intelligence of our future leaders, showing them how to be authentically collaborative and communicative, improving the reputation and culture of our industry for the long term.”

The integration of accountability, transparency, collaboration, communication, empathy, and trust defines the superstar leader that people look to guide them in their careers. These qualities not only enhance employee satisfaction and retention but also attract top talent, driving long-term success and growth. By prioritising these qualities, senior leaders can create a positive and high-performing workplace culture that empowers their teams and propels their organisation towards excellence.

**the survey allowed those taking part to select the three most important qualities separated into professional and personal traits. If you would like to see a full list and breakdown of the results please contact Nicky Stunt via [email protected]