It’s hard to be a good boss and even harder to work under a bad one. This episode breaks down how to begin as a new leader with little to no experience, the critical errors leaders often make, and what to do when your boss is suboptimal. We explore how quick fixes, lack of empathy, and poor communication can alienate teams and stifle growth. Leaders who ignore the importance of relationships, skip proper onboarding, or impose their own agendas without collaboration set themselves up for failure. We also discuss how future writing can help leaders clarify their vision and avoid these pitfalls. Finally, we offer strategies to recognize and correct these missteps, creating a more effective and cohesive leadership style.

💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡

Guest Bio: Karl Pister is president and founder of The Coaching Group, with over 34 years of experience in executive coaching, conflict management, and leadership development. He’s also the host of the Healthcare Leadership Podcast, which focuses on leadership, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.

We Discuss:

The Practice of Future Writing
The Logic Behind Future Writing
Daily Writing Routine and Its Impact
Premeditation Malorum | Best vs. Worst Case Scenario Visualization
Maladaptive vs. Adaptive Perfectionism
What Daily Future Writing Looks Like—Doesn’t It Get Repetitive?
Write for the Future in the Present Tense
How to Be a Successful New Leader With an Underperforming Team
Tom Peters' Top 5 of Excellent Leadership
Your Team Knows What Action Needs To Happen
How Do You Know When You Have Enough Information To Start Taking Action?
Identify Your Influencers
Handling Someone Else’s Emergencies as a New Leader
Day One as a New Physician Leader, You’re Prodded From Multiple Sides About a Pressing Issue. What Do You Do?
Dealing with Difficult Bosses
Building Positive Relationships With a Bad Leader
A Bad Leader Is Often Insecure. Becoming an Asset to Them Rather Than an Opponent Can Make Your Job a Lot Better

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Galloway
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury
Possible by William Ury
Negotiating the Non-Negotiable by Daniel Shapiro
The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded by Michael D. Watkins

Mentioned in this episode:

5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier

Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death.

Free Resources Link

Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event

Ready to reset, recharge, and level up? Awake + Aware is a game-changing 3-day workshop where you will learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited. 🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event!

Awake + Aware Bend 2025

139 – Lilo & Stitch (w/ Maria Lewis)