Healthcare Leadership Trends for 2025
Various organizational barriers were cited. Representative comments are shown in ( Figure 7).
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Lack of Change My Leader is not willing to restructure in a manner that aligns with industry standards. System reluctant to change. Exsecutive leadership team ... very set in their ways.
Size Costraints The only way up would be to go to a bigger hospital or system.
Lack of Leadership Development There are no defined development pathways or opportunities. No succession planning to grow leaders.
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Cultural Bariers Culture here doesn't support someone with specific experience of transitioning to a new role even if they are willing to gain needed skills. Culture of leadership does not support growth, especially for Directors. Leadership plays favorites.
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Preference for External Candidates All new C-suite leaders looking to bring in own team. New leadership has been brought in from external entities at all levels above me.
Figure 7
One strategy to open new pathways is to encourage “sideways” executive moves. Some have called this approach a career “lattice” or “jungle gym” rather than a ladder. One recent analysis noted that many organizations would need to create an appropriate support system, develop compensation policies, and overcome managerial resistance to implement lateral steps. 1
1 B. Elliott, “When Moving Sideways Makes Sense,” MIT Sloan Management Review, September 23, 2024.
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