As the healthcare sector prepares for 29.4 percent growth by 2022, many medical facilities are faced with deciding whether they should promote from within or recruit externally to fill open positions.
The HealthCare Initiative (THC), an affiliate of MRINetwork, which specializes in recruitment of healthcare management professionals, recently surveyed 400 hospital leaders on whether they would recommend internal promotions.
The survey finds:
- Two-thirds of respondents advise against promoting from within
- One-third believe it is a good idea, but only if the incumbent would have access to a great mentorship program and support from department heads within the organization
Reasons for not promoting internally include:
- Difficulty being objective, critical, and an inability to manage people who were recently the new manager’s peers
- Unable to come in with an “outside view” to see and implement change
- Many don’t have the necessary skills to be great leaders; they just believe a management role should be the next step
- Reluctance to innovate or change current business processes for fear of upsetting friendships
