The Power of Situational Leadership in Healthcare Finance

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Zak Kruse, CRCR

In today’s complex and rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. That’s why situational leadership remains a critical model for finance leaders navigating a wide range of challenges. From managing cross-functional teams to responding to regulatory shifts and economic uncertainty. This approach emphasizes adaptability, encouraging leaders to adjust their style based on the readiness, experience, and motivation of their teams. For CFOs and finance directors, this means knowing when to be directive during high-stakes initiatives like budget overhauls or system conversions, and when to empower and coach teams through change management or innovation efforts.

Situational leadership is particularly relevant in health care finance, where departments may include a mix of tenured professionals, early-career analysts, and outsourced partners. By aligning leadership style with team needs, leaders foster accountability and engagement, while maintaining agility in decision-making. Ultimately, this approach strengthens team performance and drives better outcomes, not just for the finance department, but for the broader organization. As financial stewards in a mission-driven industry, our ability to flex our leadership style can make the difference between simply managing a budget and truly leading a transformation.

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