Super You: Doctors should help people direct their own health care

If you are not involved in management, you probably missed what Charles Manz and Henry Sims Jr. said in their SuperLeadership books.

Their work is simple, and although aimed at corporations, their four levels of leadership are universal and can easily be applied to health and wellness.

At the most direct level, we find the “strongman” form of leadership. It is characterized by commanding others, by using authority, fear and intimidation to make people comply. Sometimes strongman leadership is required.

Health care has its own totalitarian realm: I call it sickness care. Just about all of us have been subjected to this form of medical intervention and often it is our own fault. We typically wait until we get sick, then look to the sickness care model to help us.

Clinics, hospitals and doctors quickly establish a strongman authority and tests often confirm our worst fear. Sometimes we have our parts cut out, sometimes we get injected with the latest FDA approved drug.

If we survive, we are sent home with pills in our pocket. Like parental authority, sickness care has its appropriate application, but frequently it leaves us weaker, poorer and more dependent.

The next level of leadership is the “transactor.” It’s like most businesses and the relationship with their workers: Do your job and get your reward.

Likewise, health transactors make deals with clients, patients and customers.

Just turn on the TV. Every third commercial you’ll learn about a prescription drug or a diet formula and how it will change your life. Infomercials are full of natural potions and clever machines that offer a particular benefit in exchange for following the program. Some health transactors offer legitimate goods and services and some don’t. Buyer beware.

Perhaps the most easily recognized leader is the “visionary hero.” A visionary hero is a charismatic leader who inspires and motivates others by creating an absorbing vision of the future based on a philosophy. Followers are energized to pursue that vision. Deepak Chopra is one well-known example of a visionary health care hero.

Whether or not we accept what they say, they have gained celebrity status while showing us their particular vision of health care.

Chiropractic was founded by a visionary health care hero named D.D. Palmer. He shared a clear vision of what chiropractic was. While a philosophical approach to health care can establish a solid foundation on which to build, no single vision will answer all the needs of each individual.

After all, we are all different, that is why the next level of leadership is so ideal – it strives to empower each of us.

“SuperLeadership” is the ultimate leadership construct.

It is the one style that helps others effectively lead themselves. That’s why the greatest action a health care provider can do is to help people achieve the ability to direct their own health and wellness care.

At this point, I need a little help from you to make this article complete. When you see a blank line, just say your name out loud: “I will be Super______ when I become equipped with the confidence and knowledge to direct my own health and wellness care.”

SuperYou must accept that optimal health is up to you. It might not be easy, but neither is living under the fear of sickness care, or constantly striking hollow deals with health transactors. And while visionary health care heros are exciting and offer a valuable source of information and motivation, they eventually lose their luster.

If you are looking for great health, look in the mirror and repeat: “I’m ready to become Super__ .”

Dr. Ray Pope is a licensed chiropractor at Action Potential Chiropractic,