In my career, I’ve led teams as small as a few and as large as 60. But no matter the size, my philosophy stays the same: people don’t work for me — they work with me.

Leadership, especially in medicine, isn’t about authority. It’s about responsibility. It’s about listening without judgment, offering support in crisis, and creating an environment where others can thrive.

I remember a colleague once overwhelmed during a mission trip in Namibia. Hundreds of patients waited, many who had traveled hours by bus. When I saw the fatigue on his face, I quietly took three-fourths of the remaining patients to a nearby clinic and told him I had been less busy all day, so it was only right I handled the overflow.

Sometimes, the best leadership is quiet. It doesn’t shout. It simply serves.