How to Lead Up in Your Organization.

As more physicians become employed rather than joining or opening an independent practice, they are finding themselves in large organizations with a well-defined chain of command. Maneuvering in this hierarchy can be difficult for physicians, who are accustomed to being “captain of the ship” when making clinical decisions, but it’s an essential skill for garnering the resources and support we need to do our jobs well. “Leading up,” a concept popularized in the book by Michael Useem, is the ability to influence decisions made by those at higher levels in the organization, especially your direct supervisor. All physicians are leaders at some level, whether or not they have supervisory roles. Using our leadership skills to influence our colleagues and those in positions of authority enables everyone in the organization to be more successful. It is common for physicians to express concerns about the leadership skills of their leaders. We need to recognize that those placed in positions of authority are not always