Hidden potential is everywhere — but leaders must create the conditions for it to emerge.
That was the core takeaway from Adam Grant’s presentation at the recent American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress. An organizational psychologist and bestselling author, Grant’s message couldn’t have been more relevant for health care leaders navigating today’s turbulent environment.
Hospitals across California and the country are facing relentless pressures, including workforce shortages, financial strain, regulatory complexity, and shifting patient expectations. In times like these, Grant argues that the most effective leaders are not those who simply work harder — they are those who learn to rethink faster, challenge their assumptions, and unlock the potential of the people around them.
For hospital leaders navigating one of the most challenging periods in modern health care, that means:
- Rethinking assumptions faster: As health care experiences its own version of disruption (driven by financial, technological, and workforce challenges), hospital leaders can’t simply manage change — they must continuously question whether yesterday’s strategy still works today.
- Welcoming constructive challenge: Rather than building a network of people who support them without question, Grant encourages leaders to build “challenge networks” of those who are willing to point out blind spots — because that’s where growth happens.
- Building cultures where people speak up: Grant reinforced what health care research has repeatedly shown — psychological safety saves lives. When staff feel safe speaking up, and when leaders encourage sharing problems rather than just solutions, ideas emerge that not only improve patient care, but also drive the whole organization forward.
- Turning criticism into collaboration: Grant highlighted a subtle but powerful leadership tool: Ask for advice instead of feedback. Feedback tends to focus on what went wrong in the past, while advice focuses on what could go better in the future — and often results in more constructive and actionable insights.
Health care leaders already carry enormous responsibility. But, as Grant reminded the ACHE audience, organizations that thrive in turbulent times are those that have leaders who don’t just seek answers — they create environments where the best ideas can surface from anywhere.
As we work to navigate these challenges together, our ability to innovate will be key to our success.