I can't Believe They Think I'd. (Physician Executive Leadership) (Transition from Physician to Executive) (Related Article: A Chilly Reception: From the Operating Room to the Board Room‪)‬

MUCH HAS BEEN MADE OF THE METAMORPHOSIS IN one's professional identity that accompanies the shift from physician to physician executive. In this context, there are a wide variety of educational opportunities available to assist physician executives in the process of building essential skills. The accrual of these skills--in leadership, communication, problem-solving, business strategy, finance, and information systems--inevitably gives rise to increasing confidence and competence. This allows organizations that make thoughtful use of physician executives to garner a convincing competitive advantage. However, very little has been written about the personal jolt which many physician executives experience as they move to work in a very different relationship with their colleagues. As one medical director told me, "The job is going well, and I like it very much. The only problem is that I've just lost all my friends." What happens? How can we understand this phenomenon? What can we do to minimize the personal toll so often exacted by the transition to leadership?