Healthcare Executive Coaching That Transforms CMOs and Organizations
Healthcare Executive Coaching That Transforms CMO’s and Organizations
Dr. Arthur Reitman
Dr. Nick Sutingco
James McKenna specializes in helping healthcare executives, including presidents, CEOs and CMOs, identify and achieve their personal and professional goals. He employs a results-focused, self-directed learning model informed by research, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, change principles, and adult learning theory.
Through his coaching process, early, mid, and late career executives are guided to define their unique role(s), associated responsibilities, and assess their own wellness and strategies for maximizing influence. This empowers them to become high-functioning members of their medical societies, companies, physician groups, hospitals, and/or health-system C-suites.
Maximize Your Leadership Capacity and Effectiveness
James McKenna works with healthcare executives (as well as early- and mid-career leaders) to help them define their role, responsibilities, and how to maximize influence. Together, we’ll use a mix of online and in-person meetings, personality tests, interviews, case studies, group learning, and hands-on exercises to help you improve your skills and knowledge.
Pictured: Mrs. Deborah Kendric, Leadership Conference Administrator, Chaminade High School
What’s Your Role?
Executive Coaching Can Help You
Enhance Leadership Skills
Improve your leadership abilities, such as decision making, communication, and team building.
Improve Performance
Address challenges in order to improve organizational performance and leadership effectiveness.
Increase Self-Awareness
Gain a deeper understanding of your inner strengths, weaknesses, potential, and how to activate growth.
Advance Your Career
Obtain a better understanding how to identify and pursue important career goals and achieve them.
Manage Stress & Engagement
Learn effective strategies for managing stress and maintaining a positive work-life balance.
Address Burnout & Wellness
Build resilience, wellness and wellbeing, not only for yourself, but also your staff.
COFFEE WITH JIM
December 27, 2022
By Dr. Toyosi “Timi” Olutade, Chief Medical Officer, UnityPoint Health-Trinity In our discussion, Dr. Olutade’s soft-spoken, humble manner belies an inner strength that slowly shines through, revealing what has enabled [...]
COFFEE WITH JIM
November 1, 2022
By Dr. Richard “Dick” Kovacs Dr. Richard “Dick” Kovacs, Chief Medical Officer of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) as well as a Past President of the Board of Trustees [...]
COFFEE WITH JIM
August 20, 2020
Jim speaks with Dr. Raj Chand, Past President VEMA; CMO at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital After 6 successful years at VEMA (Virginia Emergency Medicine Associates), Dr. Chand has leapt into [...]
What Leaders Are Saying
“Jim is very insightful and tactful with sharing these insights for improvement which is the mark of a great coach. He inspires confidence and appropriate boldness when action needs to be taken. I know I would not have been as successful or satisfied with my performance if he had not counseled me at opportune and appropriate times. I highly recommend him to anyone who is seeking improvement in leadership while achieving massive organizational goals."
Dr. Hadley Wilson
Sanger Heart & Vascular, and former President, ACC
"James McKenna is a proven, world-class executive coach who is a master of facilitating conversations that have led to the enhancement of our executive team’s communication, collaboration and connectedness. As a result, our team has developed stronger relationships, better processes and better outcomes, whose positive impact extends across our organization and ultimately to our patients and their families.
Having the ability to tap into James’ experience, as a healthcare thought leader to provide a unique, unbiased and insightful perspective, has been helpful to my professional growth as the CMO of my health system, as well as for my own personal wellbeing, thus that of my family."
Dr. Jim Rost
CMO
White Oak Medical Center, Adventist HealthCare
"Leaders need to be clear to the team members what their roles are...you know this Jim. You teach this. The value of teamwork trust is intrinsic and critical to the success of the whole."
Dr. Dick Kovacs
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
American College of Cardiology
“Professional coaching with Jim has been incredibly valuable to me. I am nearer the end of my career than the beginning…I felt I had at least one last act left in my professional life. I was satisfied with what I have achieved thus far and wanted to try expanding or using what I’ve learned to tackle something bigger. Defining that and finding that path was proving to be challenging. For these reasons, Jim’s wisdom and perspective have been so useful to me as I launch this next phase.”
Dr. Carolyn Baier O’Conor
Department Head Family Medicine and Governing Board Member, Shady Grove Medical Center, Adventist HealthCare
“J’ai travaillé avec Jim pour sortir d’un burnout professionnel et parental. Jim m’a aidé à analyser les causes de mon burnout ce qui m’a plus tard aidé à éviter de retomber dans le même problème. Il m’a aidé à trouver les mots adequats pour exprimer mes sentiments, et pour apprendre à dire non, outil essentiel pour éviter le burnout. Grâce à lui je comprends mieux ma personnalité, ma force et mes limites, et j’arrive à mieux communiquer et à dire non de temps en temps. J’arrive à reconnaitre le moment où j’atteins mes limites et j’ai les outils qui me permettent de me ressourcer et de rester résiliante face au stress de ma vie professionnelle et familiale.”
Dr. Corinne Ahmar
Hospitalist Leader
“Ho avuto la possibilità di incontrare James durante il mio percorso professionale, e non soltanto si è rivelata un’esperienza preziosa per il mio lavoro da cardiologa, ma anche per la mia crescita personale. James mi ha aiutato a capire come meglio relazionarmi con i miei pari e con i miei superiori, cercando di esaltare le mie doti positive e fare dei miei punti deboli dei punti di forza. In Italia non è ancora molto sviluppato il concetto di leadership coaching, ma io lo raccomando a tutti i miei colleghi, e in particolare alle donne in carriera, per rendere ancora più preziosa, speciale e vincente la crescita personale e professionale.“
Dr. Emilia D’Elia
Frequently Asked Questions
Executive coaching in healthcare is a personalized form of professional development designed to help healthcare executives maximize their potential. It involves a one-on-one relationship with a trained coach who provides guidance, support, and accountability to help leaders achieve their goals.
Whether or not you need an executive healthcare coach depends on your specific needs and goals. Here are some factors to consider:
- Are you facing challenges? If you’re struggling with burnout, management issues, or transitioning into a new role, a coach can provide valuable guidance and support.
- Do you want to enhance your leadership skills? A coach can help you develop your abilities in areas like communication, decision-making, and team building.
- Are you looking for career advancement? A coach can offer strategies for achieving your professional goals and navigating organizational challenges.
- Do you want to improve your overall well-being? A coach can help you manage stress, enhance work-life balance, and develop a healthier mindset.
If you’re unsure, it might be helpful to have a conversation with a potential coach. They can assess your needs and determine if coaching would be beneficial for you.
Choosing the right healthcare executive coach is crucial for ensuring that you receive the most effective support and guidance. Here are some factors to consider:
- Experience and Expertise: Look for a coach with a proven track record in healthcare leadership. They should have experience working with executives in similar roles and industries.
- Coaching Approach: Different coaches have different styles. Consider whether you prefer a more directive or more facilitative approach.
- Certifications and Credentials: While certifications aren’t always a guarantee of quality, they can indicate a commitment to professional development. Look for coaches with relevant certifications like ICF (International Coach Federation).
- References and Testimonials: Ask for references from previous clients. Reading testimonials can give you insights into the coach’s effectiveness and the quality of their services.
- Chemistry: It’s important to feel a connection with your coach. Schedule a preliminary meeting to assess if your personalities and working styles are compatible.
- Confidentiality: Ensure that the coach maintains strict confidentiality. Your personal and professional information should be treated with the utmost privacy.
- Cost: Discuss the coach’s fees and payment terms upfront. Be clear about your budget and expectations.
By carefully considering these factors, you can find a healthcare executive coach who can help you achieve your goals and maximize your potential.
Many healthcare executives can benefit from coaching, regardless of their level of experience or specific role. However, some individuals may find it particularly valuable, including:
- New executives: Those transitioning to new roles or organizations may benefit from coaching to navigate the unfamiliar territory and build relationships quickly.
- Executives facing challenges: If you’re struggling with burnout, management issues, or organizational changes, a coach can provide guidance and support.
- Executives seeking career advancement: Coaching can help you identify your strengths, develop new skills, and create a personalized career path.
- Executives leading through change: If your organization is undergoing significant transformation, a coach can help you navigate the process and inspire your team.
- Executives looking to improve their leadership skills: Coaching can help you develop your abilities in areas like communication, decision-making, and team building.
Ultimately, if you’re looking to enhance your performance, achieve your professional goals, or simply improve your overall well-being, executive coaching may be a valuable investment.
The cost of hiring an executive healthcare coach can vary significantly depending on several factors:
- Coach’s Experience: More experienced coaches may charge higher rates due to their expertise and track record.
- Coaching Frequency: The number of coaching sessions per week or month will impact the overall cost.
- Location: Coaches located in major cities or high-cost areas may charge more than those in smaller towns or rural areas.
- Coaching Format: In-person coaching may be more expensive than online or phone sessions.
- Additional Services: Some coaches may offer additional services like team coaching or workshops, which can increase the cost.
It’s generally advisable to inquire about the coach’s fees upfront and discuss your budget to ensure that you find a coach who fits your needs and financial constraints. Remember, while executive coaching can be an investment, the potential benefits, such as improved performance, increased job satisfaction, and career advancement, can far outweigh the cost.
Coaching offers numerous benefits for healthcare executives, including:
- Improved performance: Coaches can help executives identify areas for growth and develop strategies to enhance their performance.
- Enhanced leadership skills: Coaching can help executives develop essential leadership qualities such as communication, decision-making, and team building.
- Increased self-awareness: Coaches can assist executives in gaining a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, values, and behaviors.
- Enhanced work-life balance: Coaches can provide strategies for managing stress, improving time management, and achieving a healthier work-life balance.
- Career advancement: Coaching can help executives identify career goals, develop a personalized career path, and navigate organizational challenges.
- Improved decision-making: Coaches can help executives make more informed and effective decisions by providing guidance and support.
- Increased job satisfaction: By developing their skills and achieving their goals, executives can experience greater job satisfaction and fulfillment.
- Enhanced organizational culture: Effective coaching can contribute to a positive and supportive organizational culture.
In summary, coaching can be a valuable investment for healthcare executives who are seeking to improve their performance, enhance their leadership skills, and achieve their professional goals.
Latest Insights
Stay up-to-date with leading resources in healthcare leadership, physician wellness, and productivity, produced by James and his team.
Interview
Dr. Jonathan Wenk is the Medical Director of the Emergency Department and Director of Operations for Integrated Acute Care at White Oak Medical Center. He is trained in both Internal [...]
Burnout
Introduction The rates of depression and suicide among physicians in the United States today are still way too high. For this reason, we’re hearing a lot about physician burnout, wellness [...]
Burnout
Dr. Banda has been an infectious disease physician for over twenty years. He’s risen through the ranks as an effective, energetic, thoughtful, well-respected leader. He leads a team at a [...]
Burnout
Introduction Imagine those past moments in your life when you were at your best self. For example, imagine you just recently experienced a success (personally or professionally) or were striving [...]
Wellness
Introduction In my experience, I’ve noticed that physicians can benefit from working with executive coaches who are not physicians themselves, for several reasons: Fresh Perspective and Objectivity: Coaches from outside [...]
Interview
“Most of us are too hard on ourselves. Give yourself grace. You (we, I) can’t be 100% on, at any one thing at all times.” Dr. Courtney Ackerman, MD President [...]
Blog
Introduction Dr. Espinoza is a forty year-old hospitalist at a well-known hospital on the West Coast. She has a two-year old daughter, Selena, and her husband works in the financial [...]
Blog
Imagine all your physician team’s development and leadership needs were met. What could you achieve?
Introduction Imagine you were able to provide on-demand, immediately applicable, high-impact support perfectly targeted to each one of your individual physician colleague’s developmental needs. Then imagine that this just-in-time knowledge [...]
Blog
Introduction A Director of Emergency Medicine was getting overwhelmed by the enormity of his own role recently, so I asked him when he thought he was most effective. He responded, [...]
Blog
Introduction Dr. Amato is a respected cardiologist at a successful medical center in New England. She’s experienced a lot in the 30+ years of her career. Recruiters call to lure [...]