Kiran Batheja: Dynamic leaders never stop reaching higher

Leadership is not about waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself. Leadership is about jumping in with purpose, stepping up with passion, maximizing the ability to gain knowledge and having the confidence and determination to make a difference.

That’s one reason why I’ve chosen “Lead Now” as my theme as HFMA Chair.

Now more than ever, we’re called to shape the future of healthcare in a positive and meaningful way. And we don’t have to do it alone. The relationships we build as HFMA members — through shared experiences, challenges and triumphs — make us stronger, smarter and more resilient. They prepare us to adapt to the challenges ahead to meet the needs of our organizations and our industry in forward-focused ways.

Niyum Gandhi, CFO and treasurer of Mass General Brigham and a member of HFMA’s Massachusetts-Rhode Island Chapter, brings to life one of the core principles of “Lead Now”: Learn.

Gandhi remembers a time when healthcare CFOs were known for being “these brilliant financial wizards.” In HFMA’s latest special report, “The Healthcare CFO of the Future: Turning Risk Into Opportunity,” Gandhi recalls that the CFOs of two to three decades ago brought needed financial controls to the industry.

But Gandhi also acknowledges how the role of the CFO has significantly expanded over time. Now, he said, CFOs bring operational savvy and a strategic mindset to their leadership, looking for ways to diversify revenue, attain success under value-based payment contracts and drive ROI from AI. They must think more about what their organization should look like in the future and what it will take to get there.

From my perspective, there has never been a better time to use the power of learning to elevate our ability to make an impact — for our patients, our teams and the communities we serve.

A leader’s commitment to continual learning ensures an understanding of key stakeholders’ needs and the ability to identify solutions for priority issues. It helps establish an innovative path that positions organizations for the future and fosters a shared vision of transformation. It empowers leaders to leverage data to pinpoint what works, what doesn’t, what’s new and what’s next.

Regardless of the setting, great leaders are always curious. They listen, observe, pay attention and ask questions. Most important, they find people’s strengths and amplify them.

Learning is at the core of HFMA. And now is the time to maximize our vibrant HFMA communities’ power of learning and foster the growth needed for our organizations and our industry to thrive.

Similarly, HFMA is also continually evolving and adapting to anticipate and meet the changing needs of our healthcare finance industry while remaining the leading organization for bringing industry groups together to find solutions.

I am honored to be your HFMA national Chair during what will be a member- and volunteer-focused year. I look forward to our journey together as we all lead now.