In the fast-paced and high-stakes world of emergency medicine, effective leadership isn’t just about making schedules or ensuring protocols are followed—it’s about creating a workplace culture where team members feel seen, valued, and supported, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Great leaders don’t just focus on what the team does but also on who they are, understanding and leveraging the unique strengths each individual brings to the table.
I’ve had the privilege of working under an extraordinary manager at Central Maine Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Her leadership style embodies the compassion, empathy, and awareness that define not just a great leader, but a truly remarkable human being. Recently, I experienced a family crisis that tested my emotional resilience. The weight of balancing my professional responsibilities with personal heartbreak could have easily become overwhelming. But because of my manager’s unwavering support—and her ability to see and draw on my strengths—I navigated this period with clarity, strength, and, most importantly, hope.
From the moment I shared my situation with her, she listened—not just to respond, but to truly understand. She didn’t just offer kind words; she recognized what I needed, based on my strengths, to successfully weather this storm. She gave me the time and space to step away from work and focus on my family, without guilt or additional pressure. Her support reminded me that taking care of myself wasn’t just acceptable—it was necessary. When I returned to work, her encouragement made me feel confident and empowered to rejoin my team.
Her leadership exemplifies a key principle highlighted in StrengthsFinder 2.0: that effective leaders recognize not just the professional needs of their team, but the unique talents and qualities that each person brings to the workplace. By understanding the strengths of the individuals she manages, she’s able to create a cohesive, supportive environment where everyone can perform at their best. Whether someone excels at strategy, thrives in relationship-building, or shines in execution and delivery, she knows how to tap into those strengths and adapt her approach to meet the unique needs of each team member.
Equally important, she doesn’t shy away from addressing weaknesses. Instead of ignoring them or letting them define someone’s performance, she works with team members to find ways to balance them or complement them with the strengths of others. This approach is crucial in healthcare, where the stakes are high, and teamwork can literally save lives. By leveraging the principles of strength-based leadership, she builds a team that functions like a well-oiled machine, even in the most chaotic and challenging environments.
Returning to work after my personal crisis was daunting, but her belief in my abilities and her understanding of what I uniquely contribute to the team gave me the confidence to re-engage with my role. She reminded me that I am more than my circumstances and that my strengths remain valuable, even in difficult times. This experience reaffirmed something essential: the right leader can make all the difference in whether an employee feels like they belong or whether they feel like they’re just surviving.
It’s no secret that healthcare is a demanding field, often characterized by high stress, long hours, and, unfortunately, burnout. But when leadership is rooted in empathy and guided by an understanding of individual strengths, it shifts the narrative. A compassionate, strength-based leader doesn’t just manage—they inspire. They remind their team why their work matters and that their well-being matters too. In an industry struggling to retain quality professionals, this approach isn’t just good management—it’s essential.
My manager’s leadership style is a model for what our industry should strive for. She has shown me that leadership is less about authority and more about humanity. By recognizing and harnessing the unique strengths of her team members, she creates an environment where people feel seen, valued, and capable—even in the toughest of times. Her ability to meet her team where they are, especially during moments of personal crisis, is a testament to her character and her commitment to creating a workplace culture where people can thrive both professionally and personally.
To any leader reading this: your empathy matters. Your ability to listen, to support, and to guide with compassion can change lives—not just for your employees, but for the patients and communities they serve. StrengthsFinder 2.0 reminds us that understanding and leveraging the unique talents of your team is one of the most effective ways to lead. Retaining talented, dedicated professionals starts with showing them that their value extends beyond their ability to clock in and get the job done.
For me, the difference was one incredible manager who didn’t just lead but cared. And for that, I will always be grateful.
Mind Over Mayday 