Transferred Skills From Healthcare Soft Skills to Business: Identifying Key Competencies
Venturing into Healthcare Business? Here's What to Expect
If you have a passion for healthcare and a dream of starting your own business, you're not alone. Many healthcare professionals are drawn to the idea of using their skills and knowledge to make a difference in their own unique way. But what soft skills from a healthcare career can you expect to put to good use when starting a business? Here's a breakdown:
Empathy
Being empathetic, whether in healthcare or business, is about understanding and connecting with people on a personal level. In healthcare, it helps ease patients' fears and provide comfort during difficult times. In business, it can mean negotiating deals with a better understanding of your client's pain points, ensuring you address their needs effectively.
Communication Skills
Clear communication is essential for success in any field, especially healthcare and business. From talking to patients and keeping them informed about their health to communicating with colleagues, partners, and investors to ensure smooth operations and collaboration – the importance of strong communication cannot be overstated.
Teamwork
In healthcare, teamwork is crucial for offering high-quality care to patients. The same applies to business, where building a cohesive team can foster collaboration and innovation. Collaborative mindsets are particularly valuable when working with cross-functional teams in areas like marketing, product development, and customer service to achieve common goals.
Stress Management
Dealing with high-stress environments is par for the course in healthcare, and the same can be said for running a business. Developing strong stress management skills can help you navigate challenges in your business, stay adaptable, and promote resilience.
Flexibility
The ability to adapt to change is essential in both healthcare and business. Whether it's adjusting to new technologies, regulations, or market trends, maintaining flexibility allows you to pivot strategies quickly to remain competitive.
While these skills are crucial, they should ideally be complemented with business acumen, such as financial management, leadership, and marketing, through courses or programs like an Executive MBA. Additionally, networking with professionals from both the healthcare and business sectors can provide valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration. With the right approach, you can turn your healthcare career into a thriving business venture that puts patients' needs first.
[1] Shakespeare, S. (2021, June 14). How to bridge the gap between healthcare and business. Becker’s Hospital Review. Retrieved from [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/strategy/how-to-bridge-the-gap-between-healthcare-and-business.html]
[2] Healthcarehiring.org (n.d.). Financial literacy for healthcare students and professionals. Retrieved from [https://www.healthcarehiring.org/financial-literacy-for-healthcare-students-and-professionals/]
[3] Hyland, M. (2021, January 26). The difference between leadership and management, explained. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from [https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-difference-between-leadership-and-management]
[4] The Michigan Business School (n.d.). Become an executive MBA. Retrieved from [https://www.ross.umich.edu/emba]
In the world of healthcare business, the skills honed in a healthcare career, such as empathy, communication, teamwork, stress management, and flexibility, can be invaluable when put to use in a new venture. To complement these skills, a solid understanding of business acumen, including finance and management, is essential to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship effectively.