Healthcare Leadership Excellence

Karl Pister
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

The Healthcare Leadership Excellence podcast was created to share valuable insights around leadership, communication, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. Karl Pister, with over 30 years of coaching experience, is a passionate advocate of excellent and influential leadership. In each episode, Karl discusses real-life leadership challenges through the lenses of outstanding healthcare professionals. He is committed to empowering every healthcare leader lead with integrity, excellence, and inspiration.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 228: Navigating Conflict at Work with Audrey Lee

    In this episode, I sit down with Audrey Lee, mediator at Boston Law Collaborative, lecturer at Harvard Law School, and author of Navigating Conflict at Work for a conversation about mediation, negotiation, and the skills leaders need to handle workplace conflict. Audrey and I discuss why mediation is not just for legal disputes and how leaders are often acting as informal mediators without even realizing it. We explore the importance of looking beyond people's positions to understand their underlying interests, concerns, and motivations. We also talk about the power of listening, curiosity, and relationships in resolving conflict. Audrey explains how the ladder of inference shapes the stories we tell ourselves, and why challenging our assumptions can open the door to more productive conversations. Our discussion also covers the role of emotions, the importance of reframing difficult situations, and how leaders can recognize when it's time to bring in a professional mediator. Audrey shares practical advice on choosing the right mediator and understanding what mediation can realistically accomplish. This conversation is a reminder that effective conflict resolution is not about having all the answers. It's about listening carefully, understanding what matters to people, and creating the conditions for them to move forward. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  2. Nov 5

    Episode 227: The Mindset of High Performance with Jim Allenby

    In this episode, I sit down with Jim Allenby, a former professional cricket player turned executive coach, to explore what it really takes to achieve high performance and how lessons from professional sports can help us become better leaders. Jim shares insights from nearly 20 years in professional cricket and his transition into coaching athletes and business leaders. We discuss three important traits of high performers: the willingness to work hard without immediate rewards, the ability to accept critical feedback, and learning to enjoy the process of getting better. We also explore a challenge many leaders face: managing people with different levels of ambition. Jim explains why not everyone wants to be a high performer, why that's not necessarily a problem, and how leaders can better invest their time and energy in developing their teams. Our conversation also touches on managing egos, leading across generations, and the importance of addressing conflict early. Jim makes a compelling case for having small, honest disagreements before they become major problems. This conversation is a reminder that great leadership isn't about expecting everyone to think or perform like you. It's about understanding what motivates people, recognizing their strengths, and creating an environment where they can do their best work. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  3. Nov 2

    Episode 226: The Power of Slowing Down with MaryCay Durrant

    In this episode, I welcome back MaryCay Durrant for a conversation about something healthcare leaders often struggle to make time for: slowing down and building meaningful relationships with their teams. We discuss why even the most talented teams can struggle when people are constantly focused on getting things done. MaryCay shares how she uses nature and horses to help executive teams recognize patterns in their behavior, have difficult conversations, and build trust in ways that traditional meetings often cannot. We also explore the hidden costs of constantly pushing forward without taking time to connect. When leaders overlook the human side of their organizations, they risk losing the energy, engagement, and commitment of the very people they depend on. One of my favorite takeaways is MaryCay's concept of Return on Energy (ROE). Beyond measuring productivity and results, leaders need to pay attention to what gives their people energy and what drains it. Sometimes, a few minutes of intentional reflection can make a meaningful difference. This conversation is a reminder that effective leadership doesn't always require complicated solutions. Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is slow down, listen, and make room for people to connect. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  4. Oct 29

    Episode 225: Leading with Purpose, Not Titles with Dr. John D’Angelo

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. John D’Angelo, President and CEO of Northwell Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the country, for a conversation about leadership, purpose, and making an impact. Dr. D’Angelo shares his journey from emergency medicine physician to leading an organization of 108,000 employees. We discuss why his career was never about chasing titles, but about finding opportunities to contribute, solve problems, and make a difference. We also explore the lessons he learned leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the importance of making decisions with incomplete information, being comfortable with uncertainty, and knowing when to change course. A significant part of our conversation focuses on organizational culture. Dr. D’Angelo explains why investing in people is not something leaders can afford to abandon during difficult times. We discuss how purpose, trust, and leadership presence influence employee engagement, retention, and ultimately patient care. We close with practical advice for emerging leaders, including the importance of mentorship, executive coaching, continuous learning, and servant leadership. Dr. D’Angelo reminds us that great leadership is not about the position we hold, but the impact we have on the people we serve. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  5. Oct 26

    Episode 224: From Expertise to Leadership with Frans Campher

    In this episode, I sit down with Frans Campher, CEO and U.S. President of Integral Leadership Dynamics, executive coach, and author of The First Step, to discuss what it really takes to become an effective leader. With 28 years of experience leading and advising organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Deloitte, BP, and Citibank, Frans brings a wealth of practical leadership insights. We discuss why moving from being an expert in your field to leading others requires a fundamental shift in mindset, from having all the answers to developing the people around you. We also explore the challenges of leading through change. Frans explains why organizations often struggle when decisions are made without involving the people closest to the work. His advice is simple: slow down to speed up. Successful change requires listening, understanding concerns, and bringing people into the process. Our conversation also touches on trust, authenticity, and organizational culture. Frans shares why leaders must first learn to trust themselves, how personal values influence emotional reactions, and why even the highest-performing employee can undermine an entire team when their behavior doesn't align with its culture. We close with practical leadership habits that anyone can begin using today: listen to understand, ask better questions, and trust your own experience. It's a valuable reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where others can grow, contribute, and succeed. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  6. Oct 22

    Episode 223: Leading Change Without Creating Chaos with Dr. Diane Dye

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Diane Dye, founder of People Risk Consulting, to discuss how leaders can approach change, innovation, and organizational challenges without creating unnecessary chaos. Dr. Dye brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in high-stakes industries, including healthcare and behavioral health. We explore how some organizations turned the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic into opportunities for growth, while others struggled to move beyond their traditional ways of operating. We also discuss the difference between managing change and leading it. Dr. Dye introduces the concept of "change chaos" and explains how too many initiatives, poorly communicated decisions, and a lack of validation can overwhelm employees and undermine organizational performance. Our conversation also turns to artificial intelligence and the importance of using AI as a thought partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. Dr. Dye shares her BRAVER model for approaching organizational change through better questions, research, experimentation, and a clear focus on results. Throughout our discussion, one message stands out: effective leadership is not about introducing more change. It's about understanding the real problem, challenging assumptions, and making thoughtful decisions that improve outcomes for employees, patients, and the organization. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  7. Oct 19

    Episode 222: Compassion, Conflict, and Creating a Career That Fits with Dr. Rob Orman

    In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Rob Orman for another conversation about his book, Supranormal, and the mindset and practices that help healthcare professionals thrive in demanding careers. We begin by exploring the difference between empathy and compassion, and why caring for others doesn't mean taking ownership of their outcomes. Dr. Orman introduces the drama triangle and explains how stepping outside the roles of hero, victim, and villain can lead to more productive conversations, particularly when emotions are running high. We also discuss the importance of preparing ourselves mentally for difficult interactions. From practicing compassion and patience to recognizing when logic isn't what an emotional situation needs, Dr. Orman shares practical ways to respond more thoughtfully under pressure. Our conversation then turns to career satisfaction and the idea of treating our work and lives as ongoing experiments. Rather than accepting a career exactly as it's handed to us, Dr. Orman encourages us to make intentional adjustments that better align with our needs, priorities, and values. It's a thoughtful conversation about managing ourselves, caring for others, and creating a career that is not only sustainable but deeply fulfilling. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

  8. Oct 16

    Episode 221: Beyond the Conflict: Listening, Empathy, and Building Trust with Kim Best

    In this episode, I welcome back Kim Best, founder of Best Conflict Solutions, for another conversation about the practical skills leaders need to navigate conflict and build stronger relationships. We explore why finding common ground can be so difficult, especially when emotions are running high. Kim explains why leaders need to recognize the emotions behind people's reactions and how slowing down, listening, and asking better questions can prevent difficult conversations from escalating. We also discuss the difference between listening and giving advice. Too often, leaders rush to solve problems before fully understanding them. Kim shares practical ways to listen more effectively, avoid labeling people as difficult, and create an environment where people feel heard and respected. Our conversation also touches on the damage gossip can do to organizational trust, the importance of empathy in leadership, and how anger can reveal underlying concerns that need attention. We explore simple approaches to communicating more effectively, including finding constructive alternatives when saying no. Throughout our discussion, one message becomes clear: conflict resolution is a skill that can be learned and strengthened through practice. Leaders who develop these skills are better equipped to build trust, improve collaboration, and guide their teams through challenging situations. 👉  Download The Leader’s Ultimate Guide to Difficult Conversations, a practical framework for entering difficult conversations with clarity, discipline, and influence. 👉 Who is Karl Pister? 👉 Follow us on LinkedIn. 👉 Contact us on our website. 👉 Subscribe to Karl's YouTube channel. Ready to level up your leadership skills? Sign up for The Coaching Group's leadership courses.

See All (233)

Trailer

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The Healthcare Leadership Excellence podcast was created to share valuable insights around leadership, communication, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. Karl Pister, with over 30 years of coaching experience, is a passionate advocate of excellent and influential leadership. In each episode, Karl discusses real-life leadership challenges through the lenses of outstanding healthcare professionals. He is committed to empowering every healthcare leader lead with integrity, excellence, and inspiration.

Information

You Might Also Like