

Embracing Both Technology and People, with Elham Bidar
23 snips Sep 5, 2025
Elham Bidar, a cardiothoracic surgeon and head of surgery in Maastricht, shares his insights on merging technology with people in healthcare leadership. He discusses the behavioral challenges leaders face and the importance of teamwork. Elham highlights the role of emotional intelligence and genuine care, coining the term 'unreasonable hospitality' to enhance colleague interactions and patient support. He stresses the transformation leaders undergo through self-discovery and practical application of skills, emphasizing the need to look beyond technical abilities.
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Surgeon Turned Department Leader
- Elham trained as a cardiothoracic surgeon and became head of his department in Maastricht while also doing scientific research.
- He listened to almost all early episodes of the Coaching for Leaders podcast before joining the Academy to develop his leadership skills.
Technical Skill Isn’t The Whole Job
- Technical skill dominates surgical training but leadership requires attention to non-technical aspects.
- Elham realized people-work challenges are common across fields and deserve equal focus.
Translate Theory Into Daily Actions
- Learn leadership lessons from people in other fields; the same human challenges recur everywhere.
- Use commitments and daily actions to translate leadership theory into real influence.