Odgers Berndtson’s Chris Hamilton and Mike Drew, explain how health tech leaders can build cross-disciplinary teams to drive innovation and better patient outcomes in their organisations
The health tech industry thrives on innovation, much of which emerges from the intersection of diverse disciplines.
Leaders must master the art of fostering collaboration across clinicians, engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals to drive ground-breaking advancements.
Importantly, cross-disciplinary teams are associated with improved patient outcomes and significant cost savings.
For example, recent collaborative approaches in cancer care have led to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
Similarly, cross-disciplinary collaboration among health research experts has been shown to enhance the quality and efficiency of research outcomes in hospital settings.
Below, we explore essential leadership strategies for building and leading effective cross-disciplinary teams in health tech.
Fostering collaboration across diverse expertise
Health tech innovations often arise when diverse minds come together to solve complex problems.
Leaders play a pivotal role in creating synergy between disciplines by forming cross-functional teams that include clinicians, engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals.
To facilitate collaboration, leaders should:
- Establish shared goals that align with the organisation’s mission.
- Implement collaboration platforms that streamline communication and knowledge sharing.
- Encourage innovative problem-solving by fostering an environment where all team members feel empowered to contribute their unique expertise.
By bridging the gap between technical and clinical perspectives, leaders can harness the collective intelligence of their teams to drive meaningful health tech innovations.
Effective communication and bridging language gaps
In cross-disciplinary teams, effective communication is paramount. Health tech leaders must act as translators, ensuring alignment between technical and non-technical team members.
This involves:
- Simplifying technical jargon for clinical staff to ensure clarity and understanding.
- Educating technical team members on the nuances of clinical workflows and patient care priorities.
- Facilitating discussions that emphasise the broader mission, helping all team members see how their contributions impact patient outcomes.
By bridging language and knowledge gaps, leaders can foster mutual respect and understanding among team members, enhancing overall team performance.
Leadership techniques for maximising team performance
Leading interdisciplinary teams requires a tailored approach that acknowledges the unique dynamics of diverse expertise. Effective techniques include:
- Transformational leadership: Inspire and motivate team members by articulating a compelling vision for the team’s work. Highlight the impact their collaboration will have on healthcare innovation and patient outcomes.
- Inclusive leadership: Create a culture of trust and respect where all team members feel valued and heard. Encourage autonomy by empowering individuals to take ownership of their contributions while ensuring alignment with team objectives.
- Recognition and feedback: Regularly acknowledge individual and team achievements, and provide constructive feedback to guide growth and improvement.
Leaders should also focus on fostering trust, as it is the foundation of effective collaboration.
Building trust requires transparency, consistency, and a genuine appreciation for the diverse expertise each team member brings.
Cultivating a culture of continuous learning
A culture of continuous learning is essential for cross-disciplinary teams to thrive.
Leaders should encourage team members to upskill and share knowledge across disciplines, fostering mutual growth and innovation. Strategies include:
- Providing access to training programs and workshops tailored to both technical and clinical staff.
- Promoting knowledge exchange through mentorship and peer-learning opportunities.
- Encouraging experimentation and learning from both successes and failures.
By prioritising continuous learning, leaders can ensure their teams remain agile, innovative, and are equipped to tackle emerging challenges in health tech.
Hiring an interim to facilitate cross-disciplinary teams
In situations where organisations lack the internal expertise to manage diverse health tech teams effectively, hiring an interim leader can be a valuable strategy.
Interim leaders bring specialised experience in uniting cross-disciplinary teams and can offer fresh perspectives on collaboration challenges.
The benefits of hiring an interim include:
- Quickly addressing communication and workflow inefficiencies.
- Introducing proven methodologies for managing diverse teams.
- Acting as a neutral party to mediate conflicts and align team objectives.
An interim leader’s expertise can accelerate team cohesion and ensure that collaboration efforts are aligned with organisational goals.
Cross-disciplinary teams are must-have in health tech
By fostering collaboration, bridging communication gaps, hiring interim expertise when needed, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, and employing adaptive leadership techniques, health tech leaders can create dynamic teams capable of solving complex challenges.
As the industry continues to evolve, we are increasingly appointing leaders with the ability to unite diverse expertise and drive transformative advancements that improve patient care and outcomes.
This is the future of leadership success in health tech.
Learn more about Odgers Berndtson at odgersberndtson.com
