What are hospitalist leaders reading these days? What books, journals, and Web sites do they turn to—or recommend—for honing management skills, keeping up with industry trends, or generally staying sharp? In the January 2008 issue of The Hospitalist, four hospitalists in management positions shared their picks; here, three other leaders in the industry offer their “recommended reads.”
The President’s Picks
SHM President Patrick Cawley, MD, chief medical officer of the University of South Carolina Medical Center in Charleston, recommends a variety of resources for hospitalists in leadership positions and those who aspire to lead.
You’re in Charge, Now What? The 8 Point Plan by Thomas J. Neff and James M. Citrin
“For any leader moving into a new position, this is an invaluable guide for the first six months,” Dr. Cawley says. “It was originally written for CEOs, but it works for any leadership role. Every time I have taken on a new leadership position, I have re-read it and learned something new.”
Competitive Advantage by Michael E. Porter
“This business reference classic details the underpinnings of today’s MBA programs,” Dr. Cawley explains. “The concepts of competitive advantage, value creation, and value chain are absolutes to anyone involved in strategic planning, and certainly for any hospitalist program which requires financial support.”
A Sense of Urgency by John P. Kotter
The newest book by a leading expert in change management, this book focuses on the first step of successful change. “All hospitalists who are interested in improving quality must understand the difference between false urgency and true urgency, since it is key to knowing which events can be used to successfully drive change,” Dr. Cawley states.
Getting Things Done by David Allen
“I’m always on a quest for better personal organization and time management skills,” Dr. Cawley admits. “GTD is one such method. Combine the book with the Microsoft Outlook tips and you’ll never look back.”
Harvard Business Review
“This is one of the few magazines I read cover to cover each month—Harvard Business Review is the business community’s equivalent of the New England Journal of Medicine,” Dr. Cawley says.
Hardwiring Excellence by Quint Studer
“Many hospitals across the nation have engaged the Studer Group to help improve leadership accountability and performance,” Dr. Cawley explains. “This book is the hospital version of Good to Great.”
Dr. Cawley adds, “for something really different … .”
The Prince by Machiavelli and The Politics of Life: 25 Rules for Survival in a Brutal and Manipulative World by Craig Crawford
“For any hospitalist who is part of a larger organization, and certainly for any leader, politics are a constant,” Dr. Cawley points out. “If you’re serious about understanding such motivations, you need to become not only a student of leadership, but one of politics, as well. The place to start is The Prince. Strive for the deeper understanding of Machiavelli and not the often quoted ‘ends justifies the means’ superficiality. Crawford’s book is the modern equivalent.”
A Pediatric Hospitalist Recommends…
Jack Percelay, MD, MPH, FAAP, E.L.M.O. Pediatrics, New York, also serves on SHM’s board of directors. He recommends reading these five resources:
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William L. Ury
Dr. Percelay calls this book required reading, saying, “This is not new—it’s a core requirement for hospital medicine group leaders, hospitalists, or anyone who needs to negotiate for themselves.”
Hospitalists: A Guide to Building and Sustaining a Successful Program by Joseph A. Miller, John Nelson, MD, and Winthrop F. Whitcomb, MD