The Credible Expert Leader: Dr. Amanda Goodall on Why Physicians Can Make Great Leaders (Part One)

In the latest episode of All Physicians Lead, Dr. Leon Moores sits down with Amanda Goodall, PhD, Professor of Leadership at Bayes Business School and author of "Credible: The Power of Expert Leaders." Dr. Goodall shares her groundbreaking research showing that organizations led by those with deep expertise in the core business tend to outperform those led by generalist managers alone. Her "theory of expert leadership" is backed by extensive data from industries like business, healthcare, universities, auto racing, and professional sports. Dr. Goodall explains why doctors and physicians, as subject matter experts, can be particularly effective leaders when they embrace leadership roles in addition to their clinical duties. The conversation explores tangible ways physicians can develop their leadership skills to elevate team performance and drive better patient outcomes. Dr. Moores and Dr. Goodall discuss the importance of weaving leadership training into medical education and continuing education for practicing physicians. Listeners will gain insights into cultivating credibility as an expert leader, overcoming resistance to physician leadership, and striking the right balance between clinical and administrative responsibilities. This episode reinforces the core message that all physicians already lead daily, and can maximize their positive impact by intentionally developing leadership capabilities.About Amanda Goodall PhD:  Dr. Goodall is Professor in Leadership at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass). Her main work analyses the relationship between leadership, management and organizational performance. It shows that leaders who have a deep understanding of the core business (‘expert leaders’) are associated with better organizational performance, higher employee job satisfaction and fewer quits. Being a good manager alone is not sufficient. Evidence supporting the ‘theory of expert leadership’ comes from business, healthcare, universities, Formula 1, basketball, and among professionals. She has also done important research into gender differences in pay and negotiation, and writes on diversity more broadly.   Amanda publishes in academic journals, practitioner publications (e.g. HBR) and in the media (e.g. Financial Times). In June 2023 she released a business book titled “Credible: The power of Expert Leadership”, with Basic Books and Public Affairs (Hachette). She has been a research fellow at Cornell, IZA Institute of Labor Economics in Bonn, University of Zurich and Yale University. Based on her research, she created the Executive Masters in Medical Leadership a program tailored to the needs of physicians. Her work is available at www.amandagoodall.com Amanda began her career at 16 in the fashion industry, followed by a decade working with campaigning and charitable organizations, before graduating from the London School of Economics. After a few years working with university leaders she completed her PhD in leadership at Warwick Business School in 2007, which was published in 2009, “Socrates in the Boardroom’, Princeton University Press”.