I’ve been thinking a lot about healthcare teams recently, especially the ones I’m privileged to work with that function incredibly well under pressure.

In this episode of Healthcare Leadership Conversations, I explore what really makes teams thrive in modern healthcare. We dive into why teamwork is no longer just a nice extra but a core clinical skill, and how Amy Edmondson’s concept of “teaming” helps us navigate a world where teams constantly form, evolve, and solve problems in real time.

What You’ll Discover

- Teamwork Saves Lives: Poor communication and teamwork contribute to a large proportion of adverse healthcare events, making strong team culture essential for patient safety and staff wellbeing.

- Teamwork vs Teaming: Amy Edmondson’s framework explains why modern healthcare depends on flexible “teaming” where professionals collaborate rapidly across roles, departments, and disciplines.

- The Four Pillars of High Performing Teams: Speaking up, collaboration, experimentation, and reflection form the foundation of adaptive teams that learn continuously and improve care.

At the heart of this episode is a powerful reminder that every healthcare professional has agency. Whether you are a medical student, nurse, consultant, or pharmacist, your voice and actions shape the culture of the teams around you. Small moments like speaking up, reflecting together after difficult cases, or collaborating across disciplines can lead to meaningful improvements in care and even system level change.

Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations

Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations

LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie

Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com

Episode Resources

Naomi Nkinsi Podcast Episode- The Dose The Commonwealth Fund

Cote, C. (2025). What Is Dynamic Teaming & Why Is It Important? Harvard Business School Online Business Insights

Teaming How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy by Amy C Edmondson

Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts