For many chief executives, having hands-on experience of the world they are now in charge of can often be a distinct advantage. For the head of Macquarie University Hospital, Carol Bryant, her background as a nurse still pays off.
"In hospitals, the focus is on the patient, and that's certainly very hands-on when you're a nurse. It really adds to the holistic view of running a hospital: you should never lose sight of the fact you're there to look after patients," she says.
Education (including a graduate diploma in education) and a series of opportunities eventually led Bryant from nursing into management roles, including as the chief executive of Westmead Private Hospital, her last role before she moved to Macquarie.
Running a hospital involves being in charge of a more diverse staffing environment than most outsiders would realise.
"Within a hospital you have HR people, finance people, nurses, catering staff, cleaning staff, allied health professionals and doctors ... Every person is essential to making a positive outcome for the patient. It has an incredible impact when it all works," she says.
As a boss, Bryant says her ability to understand people and build their own skills has paid off. "I've seen over time that the human capital is the strength to any successful organisation."
For Bryant, nurturing that capital is part of being an effective boss. "It's also [important not to] be afraid to give feedback, both for improvement and to reward their successes. The opportunity is to help someone improve and you should always do that: it means the people around you grow, you grow and the business grows."
CURRICULUM VITAE Name: Carol Bryant
Current position: Chief executive officer, Macquarie University Hospital Responsibilities: Among others: leading the hospital's management team and, through consultation with stakeholders, achieving the objectives of its strategic and business plans.
Education: · Bachelor of Science (UNSW) · Registered Nurse · Macquarie Graduate School of Management (Purpose designed management series through Ramsay Healthcare) Additional training/courses: · Graduate Diploma of Education · Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
Professional associations: None.
Honourable mentions: None.
Strength: I've never really lost sight of why I'm doing this. I feel very passionate about looking after people. I use the simple rule: I think about, if it was someone I loved, what would I want to happen?
Weakness: I'm a bit of a soft touch. [However] I build a team around it ...I work very well in an executive team where I can bring along people who have the strengths I don't.
Management style and tips: [Bosses should] have a really clear vision and help people to understand their part in achieving that.
Work motto: To me it's being able to see the outcomes of what we do. I do a litmus test around the hospital every day; I talk to staff and patients.
When they tell me their family member has had great care, or that staff are happy at work...that keeps me going.
