The Simple Practice That Changed My Leadership (Dr. Cara Beatty)

Most physicians avoid hard conversations to stay kind—until they realize kindness without courage can cause more harm than good. Dr. Cara Beatty shares two pivotal moments that changed her: Watching a mentor avoid a terminal diagnosis discussion and hearing Dr. Berwick speak about radical equity in care. She reveals how her view of leadership evolved—from giving orders to building trust, asking better questions, and empowering others. Coaching became central—not as a fix, but as a framework for listening deeply, challenging assumptions, and growing with intention. She opens up about battling her inner critic and how practicing courage daily (and naming that process out loud) transformed her team’s culture. Her biggest shift? Letting go of control and leaning into psychological safety, which paradoxically accelerated results in retention, productivity, and engagement. This episode explores why true leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about creating the space where others can think, risk, and thrive. Dr. Cara Beatty is the PCN Chief Executive of the Providence Medical Group Central Division.