AAPL Annual Leadership Conference Day Two: Ted Lasso Talks

“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

That’s a line from the Apple comedy series Ted Lasso, and it seems to fit right in with the way physicians feel as they assume the mantle of leadership, either in their own practices or on their way to becoming chief medical officers and even chief executive officers of their institutions.

It was fitting then, that Gary S. Schwartz, MD, MHA, led a session that tied in the top leadership lessons from Ted Lasso, a beloved series about European soccer:

• You are responsible for the culture.

• Know when to step in and when not to.

• No individual is more important than the team.

• Celebrate victories, but don’t ignore losses.

• Call people by their name, and which name you use has meaning.

• Treat people like people.

• Find diamonds in the rough and develop them.

• Be OK with not knowing everything.

• Partner with someone who complements you.

• Seek input from others.

• Be curious, not judgmental.

The morning started with a keynote address from Alan S. Kaplan, MD, MMM, FAAPL, who is the CEO of UW Health in Wisconsin, and freely offered the CEO role was not something he felt comfortable with at the start.

Kaplan, who shared that he took improv classes to improve his public speaking skills, focused on being a centrist leader. In other words, he said, some aspect of the cohort you are leading will never like or respect you, and another aspect will love you know matter what.

The key is to focus on the middle, the critical thinkers who you need to actively win over. And some principals for the centrist leader:

• Understand people individually and collectively.

• Remain highly focused on mission, vision, and other imperatives while inclusively engaging others in the journey.

• First seek to understand before reacting and seldom sees obstacles as anything other than challenges to overcome.

• Bring people together with a common set of facts and adeptly navigates how people may see them or interpret them differently.

• Know that integrity is a leader’s most important asset.

Lasso’s admonition about feeling uncomfortable with challenges might also describe how participants in the Vanguard Program felt during a discussion about the ramifications of artificial intelligence (AI).

While everyone understands the promise that AI makes of efficiency, time saving, and even the ability to predict illness, the group also discussed the challenges — presented by inaccuracies and even bias — in the healthcare realms of academia, clinical settings, and business. The Vanguard Program continued with additional discussions throughout the day.

In a session fully dedicated to AI, Finly Zachariah, MD, FAAFP, FAAHPM, FAMIA, presented the findings of research they conducted in using AI to predict three-month mortality. The study found that AI predictions were more accurate, but cautioned that there are limitations to the study and that more research is needed.

Throughout the day, attendees addressed a series of critical topics that have an impact on physician leadership: innovation, burnout, racism, understanding financial information, creating cultures of joy, negotiating, and surviving vs. thriving.

Tricia Hern, MD, and John Kunzer, MD, MMM, CPE, presented a “Thrive Matrix,” in which physicians rate themselves from being in survive mode (-5) to thrive mode (+5).

AAPL launched today a series of Communities of Practice (formerly professional networking groups), with the goal of having these groups continuing these discussions throughout the year:

• Population Health

• Physician Wellness

• Women in Leadership

• Value-Based Care/Compensation

• Leading Change

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

• Chief Medical Officer

• Physician Engagement and Retention

The day ended with a convocation ceremony for 396 newly minted Certified Physician Executives (CPE) and Fellows (FAAPL). There are now 4,000 CPEs and 565 Fellows.

“The organization continues to transform,” Peter Angood, MD, AAPL president and CEO, told the new CPE’s and Fellows. “Healthcare has never demonstrated this much interest, and even demand for physician leadership … the patient-physician relationship is still the dominant driver in healthcare.”

Stephanie Duggan, MD, CPE, FACEP, FAAPL, chair of AAPL, recognized the special ceremony coming on the wake of the pandemic, when many ceremonies were halted.

“It’s a special night,” Duggan said. She recognized the incoming board members, Bryan Becker, MMM, FACP, CPE; Claude Brunson, MD, FASA, and Michael Lalor, MD, MBA, CPE, FACHE, HMDC, FAAHPM, FAAPL.

The Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to David Nash, MD, MBA. Nash is a board-certified internist who is internationally recognized for his work in public accountability for outcomes, physician leadership development, and quality of care improvement. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and edited 23 books.

In honor of the CPEs, Fellows, and attendees at the AAPL Annual Leadership Conference, we close out the day with more Ted Lasso:

“Most of the time change is a good thing and I think that’s what it’s all about — embracing change, being brave, doing whatever you have to so everyone in your life can move forward with theirs.”