
Ep. 130: From Control to Curiosity: A Better Way to Lead in Healthcare
From Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a Time by Healthy Workforce Institute
March 25, 2026 · 38 min
About this episode
Dr. Michael Hein discusses the need for a shift from control to curiosity in healthcare leadership.
In a healthcare environment where complexity, uncertainty, and burnout have become the norm, leaders need more than better tactics. They need a different way of thinking. In this episode, Dr. Michael Hein, Senior Vice President at MEDI Leadership, executive coach, and author of Shifting Toward Unorthodoxy, explores why traditional leadership models no longer serve today’s healthcare systems. He explains how leaders often respond to uncertainty by reaching for control, whether through policies, procedures, or rigid decision-making, but that instinct can slowly erode autonomy and damage relationships. Dr. Hein shares why leadership today is less about having the right answers and more about creating the conditions for people to discover useful answers together. He also dives into the power of curiosity, the importance of inner work, and the difference between control and influence in shaping healthy, high-functioning teams. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on leading with humility, curiosity, and courage in a healthcare system that demands a more human-centered approach. About Dr. Michael Hein: Dr. Michael Hein is Senior Vice President at MEDI Leadership, where he coaches…
People in this episode
Guest: Dr. Michael Hein
Topics covered
- leadership
- healthcare
- curiosity
- team dynamics
- burnout
- human-centered approach
Keywords
- leadership
- healthcare
- curiosity
- burnout
- team dynamics
- decision-making
- human-centered
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: MEDI Leadership
Books & works: Shifting Toward Unorthodoxy
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