Why Grit Is Vital For Successful Pharmacy Leaders In 2024
Steve Rough and Phil Brummond
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan PRESS ON has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” – Calvin Coolidge
Pharmacy is proving to be a game changer for health systems looking for real solutions that can deliver immediate value and contribute to an organization’s long-range strategy. More health system executives recognize the opportunities in pharmacy for improved clinical, operational, and financial performance and are looking to their pharmacy executives to deliver strategies that drive organizational results. This means pharmacy leaders MUST come to the table with growth-minded, business-focused and patient-centric solutions that will help positively transform the organization.
The pharmacy executive who delivers exceptional patient care and bottom-line value to the organization, facilitates a culture that fosters the growth of others and team success, and demonstrates GRIT will excel in 2024.
Below is what we believe GRIT looks like for the aspiring, successful pharmacy leader. It’s not about how hard you can work but how much you can take and keep moving forward.
GROUNDED in sound business strategy. Leading a health system pharmacy means running a medium-sized U.S. corporation, given the potential for revenue, operational efficiency, and customer deliverables. Pharmacy leaders must also be business strategists and understand how to deliver value to all stakeholders effectively and efficiently.
Optimizing REVENUE GROWTH opportunities such as specialty pharmacy and coordinated infusion services offer incredible value to the health system organization and serve patients in extraordinary ways. Also, understanding and managing the pharmacy revenue cycle has become essential to successful health system pharmacy organizations.
INVESTING strategically in people, technology, and new service offerings is critical to the success of contemporary pharmacy leaders. Overcoming workforce challenges demands new approaches to recruiting and retaining top talent, understanding and designing unique service offerings, and providing expansion into new markets and more comprehensive patient care. And technology is needed wherever medications are used. It’s no longer enough to purchase and implement technology; the successful organization must optimize technology to its most significant potential.
TENACITY that gets results for patients, the organization, and the community you serve. The most successful pharmacy leaders are those whose passion for patient care excellence drives their behavior and ensures that the health system delivers extraordinary care and fuels growth for future generations.
EXCELLING AT THINGS THAT TAKE ZERO DOLLARS AND ZERO TALENT will differentiate the most successful leaders from the rest. This includes displaying perpetual optimism and believing in others in the face of challenge, establishing a clear vision, focus and clarity of purpose for the team, being willing to have difficult conversations at the right time, gracefully managing through conflict, incessantly displaying gratitude and enthusiasm, having a willingness to take risks when it’s the right thing to do, being comfortable with ambiguity, and insisting upon accountability and preparation from one’s self and from others.
To learn more, read our full summary of the top 10 issues facing health system pharmacy in 2024.
At Visante, we see how health system pharmacy leaders embrace and excel at the opportunities presented to them and their teams. It’s an incredible time to be in health system pharmacy at any level, and leaders are demonstrating to the C-suite and boards of directors that pharmacy can positively transform the health system organization. We applaud the leaders at all health systems for their commitment to excellence!
Our team of experts at Visante can help you optimize your fully integrated health system pharmacy program. Email solutions@visante.com or call (866) 388-7583 to speak to one of our team members.