| Viewpoint from the Co-Editor |

2015: Everyone needs to lead

Bruce Maller, Co-Editor

Are you looking at 2015 with some degree of fear? With the dawn of ICD-10, changes to the Medicare fee schedule and implementation of key provisions in the Affordable Care Act, we have plenty to be anxious about. However, ophthalmology has faced many challenges and not only is the specialty still standing, most practices are adapting well and doing an outstanding job in delivering a superior patient experience.

While change is inevitable, thoughtful professionals should not fall victim to negative, pessimistic thinking. To make 2015 the best it can be, I suggest everyone in a practice, regardless of position, think and act like a leader. Embrace individual accountability and regularly display leadership qualities to build a team so strong that the curves life throws result in home runs.

Leaders who thrive in 2015 will be:

Compassionate. Be a thoughtful, caring, and transparent leader. Work is about people. While you will make unpopular decisions, compassionately consider the impact these decisions have on individuals. Take the time to nurture professional relationships that are consistent, honest, and trust-based.

Strategic. Hone your ability to identify, collect, analyze, and interpret important data that allows you to meaningfully contribute to short- and long-term planning. Tactical and deliberate thinking is a talent that results in better overall decision-making and best positions a practice for sustained success.

Flexible. Today’s medical arena is in the eye of a hurricane of uncertainty. That spells opportunity. While a status quo-approach may be safe, the ability to embrace change, accept a certain level of risk, and assume a leadership role will elevate a practice — and its leaders — to a place atop the local market.

Innovative. Build a better mousetrap. Look to the future and invest in making the practice as efficient as possible for patients and as satisfying and rewarding as possible for staff. Building better operational systems and processes that result in outstanding patient care is the stuff of legends.

This issue of Ophthalmic Professional covers a variety of topics that afford all staff members the opportunity to exhibit leadership qualities. The authors supply insight to help staff do their job better and more efficiently. The end result is happy, knowledgeable employees who are qualified to take the lead in providing patients with the best care possible. And that makes for a great 2015. OP

Mr. Maller is the founder and president of BSM Consulting, which provides business management solutions to hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, medical trade associations, physicians, health care personnel, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers across the globe.