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Episode Overview

In this episode, Jarvis T. Gray explores a crucial and often overlooked aspect of leadership development in healthcare: finding and nurturing future leaders before they take on the official title. Jarvis challenges the conventional wisdom that leadership is only for those already in formal positions and emphasizes the need for proactive, intentional investment in emerging talents already on your team.

Key Topics Covered

• Recognizing Leadership Potential Early
  • Leadership starts with posture, mindset, and potential—not a title.
  • Early signs: emotional intelligence, curiosity, ownership, and influence.
  • Real-life examples, such as a frontline phlebotomist quietly influencing her team.
• Essential Traits to Spot in Emerging Leaders
  • Coachability: How do they receive and act on feedback?
  • Accountability: Do they take responsibility, even when things go wrong?
  • Systems thinking: Can they connect dots and see patterns?
  • Collaboration: Are they building bridges and trust?
  • Growth mindset: Are they open to learning and uncomfortable conversations?
• How to Cultivate Future Leaders
  • The importance of early and intentional exposure (e.g., inviting staff to observe meetings, leading huddles, giving stretch projects).
  • Structured encouragement and mentorship make the biggest difference.
  • Example of a surgical tech whose leadership journey began with a small project and supportive coaching.
• Building a Culture of Leadership Development
  • Shift from HR owning leadership development to everyone being involved (managers, directors, executives, peers).
  • Make leadership development a part of job descriptions and performance metrics.
  • Celebrate leadership behaviors at every level, not just after a promotion.
  • Initiatives like monthly Leadership in Action awards to reinforce this culture.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is a behavior, not a job title.
• Recognizing and developing leadership potential must be intentional—don’t wait for self-selection or job openings.
• Mentorship, feedback, and early exposure to leadership situations are game changers.
• Culture matters: organizations that celebrate and reward leadership growth at every level create stronger, more diverse pipelines.

Reflection Questions

• Who on your team already displays leadership qualities without the official title?
• What early development opportunities can you offer this week?
• Does your organization reward and recognize growth and leadership at every level?
• What changes can be made to embed leadership development into your culture?

Action Challenge

• Make a list of 2–3 people who show leadership potential and reach out to offer support or opportunity.
• Talk with your leadership team about your strategy for building your pipeline.
• Celebrate one emerging leader this week—especially if they're "not ready yet."

Connect with Jarvis:

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

Send us a text

Episode Overview:

In this episode, Jarvis T. Gray dives deep into the essential role of mentorship in healthcare leadership. Drawing from personal experiences, real-world examples, and practical advice, Jarvis makes a compelling case for why mentorship isn’t just a “nice to have”—it's a non-negotiable part of developing confident, competent, and future-ready leaders in the healthcare space.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• Mentorship as an Essential, Not Optional, Tool
  • Mentorship goes beyond tools or certifications—it humanizes leadership development and sustains culture, especially in times of change.
  • "Mentorship is where theory becomes practice. It's where confidence is built, and it's where legacy is passed forward."
• The Impact of Mentorship on Emerging Leaders
  • Mentors create safe environments for questions, vulnerability, and learning from mistakes.
  • Mentorship helps future leaders see their blind spots and accelerates their readiness to take on greater challenges.
• From Organic to Structured Mentorship
  • While informal mentorship is powerful, it can be inconsistent and limited by chance.
  • Well-designed, structured mentorship programs set expectations, provide support for mentors, and create equitable access for emerging leaders from all backgrounds.
• Mentorship as the Backbone of Succession Planning
  • Mentorship improves retention, reduces burnout, and helps organizations build internal pipelines for future leaders.
  • Mentees become mentors, creating a culture of leadership that outlasts individual careers.
• Mentorship Grows Both Mentor and Mentee
  • Mentors reflect on their own journeys and gain clarity and empathy.
  • Mentorship can re-anchor leaders to their mission and create a powerful sense of community and belonging.
• Invitation & Action Steps:
  • Reach out and thank a mentor who made a difference in your life.
  • Be present and intentional in your current mentoring relationships.
  • If you’re not involved in mentoring, reflect on what’s holding you back and consider stepping into the role, regardless of your title.

Quotes to Remember:

• “Mentorship isn’t just good for the mentee. It transforms the mentor, too.”
• “When we mentor well, we lead well. And when we lead well, we build a future for healthcare together.”

Resources & How to Connect:

• Connect with Jarvis T. Gray on LinkedIn to share your mentorship stories or inquire about building a mentorship program in your organization.
• For support, tools, and frameworks to launch or enhance a mentorship program, reach out to the Excellence in Healthcare team.

Next Steps:

• Reflect: Think about a mentor who guided you and reach out with appreciation.
• Engage: Show up for your mentees with extra presence this week.
• Act: Consider stepping into mentorship and making a difference for someone else if you haven’t already.

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

Send us a text

Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Dr. Philip Alberti, Founding Director, AAMC Center for Health Justice

Episode Summary

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, Jarvis T. Gray welcomes Dr. Philip Alberti, a leader in health equity and public health strategy. Dr. Alberti shares his journey from a public health background into the world of academic medicine, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, collaborative leadership, and building trust between healthcare organizations and the communities they serve.

Key discussions include shifting perceptions of organizational trustworthiness, the pivotal role of healthcare in multi-sector partnerships, and practical advice for leaders committed to health equity.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Leadership as Partnership: Dr. Alberti believes in leading through collaboration and transparency, ensuring all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
• Health Justice & Career Inspiration: His longstanding passion for community-partnered science and public health led him to help build out the AAMC Center for Health Justice.
• Evolving Healthcare Trends: The conversation is shifting from communities needing to trust healthcare to organizations having to prove their trustworthiness through transparency and accountability.
• Building Community Trust: Addressing mistrust isn't just about historical wrongdoing; current harms and misinformation are active challenges. Strategies must be customized to diverse communities.
• Authentic Community Engagement: True impact comes from genuine, locally-relevant partnerships—moving beyond checklists and towards meaningful, sustained dialogue and coordination.
• Personal Growth & Career Lessons: Dr. Alberti reflects on pivotal moments in his career, the value of following one's passion, and lessons from mentors (including his barber father).
• Challenges & Opportunities: Healthcare shouldn’t shoulder the full burden of addressing social determinants of health alone. The opportunity lies in fostering robust, multi-sector partnerships.
• Inspiration & Motivation: Dr. Alberti draws inspiration from collective good, family, and the drive to leave a positive mark for future generations.

Rapid-Fire Insights

• Best Career Advice: Follow your passion and ensure partnerships are mutually beneficial.
• What Would He Change?: He'd consider adding clinical experience (such as a nursing degree) to further inform his public health work.
• Recommended Reading: "Artie the Smarty" — a childhood story that highlights perseverance and impact.

Resources & Links

• AAMC Center for Health Justice: aamc.org
• AAMC CHARGE Collaborative: Open to all interested in health equity; details and signup on the Center’s website.
• Connect with Dr. Philip Alberti:

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.