Giving is receiving: Discover the rewards of servant leadership

“Give all you can, rather than get all you can.” That’s the short definition of servant leadership, or professional stewardship. As physicians, this mantra is a solid fit with the care you provide to patients every day—but have you thought about how you can apply the philosophy to your role as a physician leader?

Consider the following definition: “Servant leaders are committed to making independent contributions to society. They view professional duties as a life mission. They work in environments that encourage individuals to learn and contribute,” Patricia L. Brewster, MHA, FACMPE, CEO of Southern Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC, in Atlanta and past chair of the American College of Medical Practice Executives, writes in her award-winning paper¹ on the subject. “Altruistic? Yes,” Brewster tells PPS. “But it can be done and must be done.”