Dan Woloszyn has been in executive hospital leadership for 23 years, including nine years in his current role as the CEO of Rehab Hospital of Indiana (RHI). He has a unique management approach, combining servant leadership with understanding the neuropsychology of corporate hospital systems. Not only does he believe in looking at this neuropsychology from a clinical perspective, but through an administrative lens as well.

In today’s episode, you will hear how he incorporates these two philosophies into his everyday life, along with tangible examples of how to apply cross-sectional leadership to your own work.

1. 1. Reach out, communicate, and serve others.
   Supporting Quotes:
   Dan Woloszyn: “You don’t have to be expert in everything, but there is one thing that I really believe one has to be expert in, certainly from a leadership standpoint, is to reach out and know others, and to serve others . You have to have an expertise with that to kind of drive a reduction of silos and an elimination of silos. And that can be done through one’s own expertise or actively seeking other’s expertise.”Dan Woloszyn: “I think each person and each leader truly has to believe it’s a privilege to serve others unconditionally. There’s a professional and humanistic component to that. My true belief is you have to love something about the people you lead to be truly elite effectively. If you don’t love something about the people you lead, you probably are not in the right place, and you’re probably not in the right place to be a leader.”2. Trust and transparency are the foundations of cross sectional leadership.
   Supporting Quote:
   Dan Woloszyn: “Being transparent about self, and certainly being honest, is extremely important. It’s being honest about one’s approach and any errors that might be committed and examples of approaches to correct the errors and how to grow with that. My belief is you have to think out loud and you have to be able to help others to get a sense of your own thought process as a leader and how you came to certain conclusions. I know sometimes that’s difficult for people to do, but it’s extremely beneficial where it helps in a sense to become kind of an external organizer for others, where you move from a point of, of brainstorming out loud a problem you might be faced with, verbalizing struggles, and even kind of working through some of those tactics out loud so others can benefit from a variety of things. I think what it does is it certainly lends to a relationship building and credibility and honesty and transparency.”3. Model the behavior you are looking for in your culture.
   Supporting Quote:
   Dan Woloszyn: “First and foremost, it has to start with me. Laying the foundation has to be about modeling and certainly me believing in and what truly is important for our organization. There’s always an expectation to look at the glass half full and everything that we do in a respectful way while modeling that and handing off to others who also will hand off to others, and that kind of permeates throughout the system.”4. Make it a habit to regularly invite your leaders for collaboration and relationship building.
   Supporting Quote:
   Dan Woloszyn: ”I think there’s a conscious effort to tie others, to create alliances, not only within the organization, but outside the organization, within our community and really address this kind of holistically. Concretely, we do this a lot. I invite staff and leaders, online staff leaders, all different, team members, to our department meetings. I invite them to board meetings. I have them look at operational pathways they’ve generated and share their stories, because without that you truly understand the nature of what everybody’s doing amongst the organization.”

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown – Buy Here.

In collaboration with Wambi, the Gut + Science Podcast Healthcare Series hosted by Nikki Lewellen, Director of Partnerships at Wambi, highlights accomplished, people-first healthcare CEOs (and executives) that share their powerful mindsets, experiences and tools that have helped them succeed. The show encompasses all areas of human capital at work and the successful best practices that breed healthy, engaged organizations.

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Join Dr. Bonnie Clipper and Sarah Gray, Founding Clinician and Head of Clinical Success at Trusted Health, for this micro-interview on being solution driven rather than problem focused to successfully tackle today’s issues.

To learn more about Sarah Gray, visit:

• Trusted Health – Flexible Jobs for the Modern Nurse
• Connect with Sarah Gray on LinkedIn

There’s more to explore in Wambi world! Click here to subscribe and keep your pulse on what we’re doing in the healthcare engagement space with thought leaders and the inspiring realm of employee recognition and gratitude.

Bonnie Clipper DNP, MA, MBA, RN, CENP, FACHE
Chief Clinical Officer at Wambi

Leaders: how many times have we all heard the old cliché, “the only thing that is constant is change”?  The last six months have been the most turbulent, ambiguous, and ever-changing timesever in our lifetime.  From school, to how we work, how we buy our groceries, and even how we socialize with our family and friends —everything that we once did without question is now a calculated risk.  As we continue to find that many things are now out of our control, learning to lead and thrive during challenging times requires a tweak in our thinking. Two ways to provide leadership insight during COVID-19 is to give space and use grace. 

To “have” space or to “give” space has taken on a whole new meaning during COVID-19.  Since many of us are now living and working from our homes, we are spending much more time with our families in what feels like a more confined space.  

The importance of giving space, or allowing a bit of distance, is important so we don’t all drive each other crazy.  This can be remedied by following the proper precautions and going for a drive or a walk just to get out, get some fresh air, or even experience some needed time alone.   

Giving space can also mean that we provide our work teams the “safe” space necessary to share and talk as we work through the issues associated with the pandemic together.  

Providing the safety of space for our team is incredibly important because it allows for the sharing of thoughts, concerns, and even ideas as we are all coping differently with the current situation. 

As a leader, are you aware of how each person on your team is doing – really doing?

• How are they and their family faring through the current situation?
• Do you know how they are handling school arrangements? 
• Do you know what is important to them?

If you answered ‘no’ to the following questions – it’s time to ask them.  Be authentic, be real, and you might be surprised at what you learn.  Consider sharing a meal virtually to check in and talk as you both eat breakfast, lunch, or even happy hour to share space and build bonds to work through this challenging time together. 

Finding ways to be kind to yourself and others is incredibly important, especially in this stressful and dynamic time that we are living through.  Utilize this time as an opportunity to use grace for others as well as yourself.  

There has never been a more important time to show grace in our interactions. As I cautiously venture out for necessary trips, I find it hard to read faces or pick up on gestures that infer kindness or grace.  It is equally hard to demonstrate grace through my own facial expressions and gestures.  Kindness, courtesy, and assuming good intent go a long way in interactions – especially now since we are so polarized and super-charged about our own thoughts and positions, whether it is around mask-wearing, vaccines, or schools opening.  

If we could each demonstrate a bit more grace toward ourselves, we too could benefit from some self-generosity and kindness. How can you give grace to yourself?

• Cut yourself, and those around you, some slack.  
• Try not to jump to conclusions or make assumptions. 

By giving space and using grace, you will create room to be more grateful and appreciate the little things.  And it goes without saying that any opportunity to provide leadership support during COVID-19 should include being grateful for your team and their contributions. Want to start giving space and use grace? Here’s how:

• Check in on your team 
• Provide space for thinking, sharing, and reflection during team breaks or even leading a team guided meditation (see below)
• Always assume good intent
• Give validation when people express concerns

Here’s a free guided meditation from our Wambi Wellness Series. If you want more of these meditation resources, click here.