Episode 138
138. Will These Simple Rituals Become Your ADL's? Your Activities of Daily Leadership
What if the secret to being an exceptional leader wasn’t in the big meetings or major decisions, but in the small, daily moments of connection with your team?
Your ADL's - Activities of Daily Leadership
Leadership isn’t only about grand gestures and running the big meetings — it’s about consistent, meaningful interactions that build trust and engagement over time. In a high-stakes, fast-paced environment like healthcare, the challenge is finding simple yet effective ways to lead every single day.
You will discover:
~~ The power of "Activities of Daily Leadership" (ADLs) and how small, intentional actions can dramatically improve your leadership effectiveness.
~~ 10 simple leadership questions that, when used daily, can enhance team trust, connection, and culture.
~~ Get a practical, stress-free method to implement these habits—without adding more to your already packed schedule.
Listen now to learn how just one small leadership ritual a day can set you up for long-term success and stronger team relationships.
The Questions:
~~~~~
Explore physician leadership tools and strategies to stop physician burnout, enhance physician wellness and give you the power of personal influence in the C-Suite. All the tools you need to play your role in leading the charge to wellness - at three levels - for you, your teams and your entire organization.
Transcript
Quality leadership is built on consistent, positive interactions with your team.
In this episode, I’ll share daily micro-rituals of leadership and a simple method to deploy just one a day. This small daily step will set you up for continuous improvement in your leadership effectiveness and team culture.
We call these Activities of Daily Leadership—your Leadership ADLs. Check it out.
The Power of Small, Daily Leadership Actions
When people think about leadership, they often imagine big, splashy events—like the annual medical staff meeting or the rollout of a new compensation formula. These moments are important, but they won’t build a quality team on their own.
Why? Because they’re too big, too few, and too far apart. They create a flash-bang effect, a brief moment of awareness. But if those are the only times your team sees you, how can they truly know you?
The real difference comes from the little things you do every day.
In healthcare, we’re constantly bombarded by the whirlwind of daily demands. To lead effectively, you need to carve out small, intentional actions each day. This is where Activities of Daily Leadership (ADLs) come in.
Let me share a few simple daily steps that will have a huge impact on your leadership effectiveness.
The Concept of Leadership ADLs
This episode is inspired by an article from Gaurav Jain on Medium titled The Daily Rituals of Highly Effective Leaders. I also came across an idea called "fitness snacks"—quick exercises like push-ups or squats that executives can do between meetings.
Just like fitness snacks, you can work leadership rituals into your day as leadership snacks—small but meaningful actions that build trust and engagement over time.
How to Implement Leadership ADLs
I know how doctors think. You’ll want to do everything at once—but that’s not the goal. Instead, focus on one small step each day.
Here’s a simple method:
Write each question (listed below) on a small piece of paper.
Drop them into a cup on your desk.
Each morning, pull out one random question and focus on it for the day.
These questions are organized into five categories, each with two prompts.
1. Start the Day with Clarity
At the start of the day, ask yourself:
What is the single most important thing I must achieve today?
Who on my team needs my guidance or support today?
Prioritizing your most important task helps you take control of the day before the whirlwind hits. Identifying a team member who needs support ensures you stay engaged with your people.
2. Strengthen Team Connections
Building trust requires daily engagement. Ask yourself:
What’s one thing we could do better as a team?
How can I support one team member today?
That second question is a great one to ask directly: “How can I support you today?”
These daily touches foster trust and show your team that you care about them beyond deadlines and crises.
3. Commit to Learning
Great leaders are always learning. Each day, ask yourself:
What new thing can I learn today that helps my clinical practice?
What new thing can I learn today to strengthen my leadership and business skills?
Even a 10-minute podcast (like this one!) can help you grow.
4. Celebrate Small Wins & Show Gratitude
Recognition matters. Ask yourself:
What is one win—big or small—that we can celebrate today?
Who on my team can I acknowledge, recognize, or thank today?
When you focus on positivity, you reinforce a culture of appreciation.
5. Reflect at the End of the Day
Before shutting down, take a moment to reflect:
What went well today?
What can I improve tomorrow?
Write your thoughts down in a journal or notes app—this helps you track your progress over time.
A Simple Leadership System That Works
That’s 10 simple questions—8 for the morning, 2 for the evening.
To use them:
Put them on paper and into a cup on your desk.
Each day, pull out one question and focus on that single task.
Aim to do this 80% of the time—it doesn’t have to be perfect!
This one small daily action will transform your leadership. Your team will feel supported and valued, and your influence will grow naturally over time.
What Will Be Your Leadership ADLs?
So—what will be your Activities of Daily Leadership?
What small steps will you take to show your team they can trust you?
Leadership isn’t about big moments on stage. It’s about the daily touches that show people you’ve got their back.
Thank you for your time and attention—I know it’s your most precious resource.
Until next time, keep breathing and have a great rest of your day.
