Ep. 130: From Control to Curiosity: A Better Way to Lead in Healthcare

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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