My Blog
Everyday People. Doing Important Work.
How intentional recognition helped build culture, strengthen teams, and increase engagement — and why everyday people doing important work deserve to be seen.
Formalized Mentorship Programs: Building Stronger Healthcare Organizations Through People - Why even the strongest leaders don’t thrive alone.
Mentorship doesn’t happen by accident. This executive-informed one-page guide shares six key considerations to help healthcare leaders build thoughtful, trusted mentorship programs that support growth, leadership development, and healthy workplace culture.
Customer Focus: Setting a Clear Strategic Direction for Healthcare
Customer focus begins with leadership. When healthcare organizations prioritize employees as their first customer, trust, retention, and performance follow.
Every Leader Is a Public Speaker — Whether You Signed Up or Not
If you lead people, you’re already a public speaker — whether you planned to be or not. Leadership isn’t about charisma. It’s about clear, calm communication that builds trust. Your audience rarely notices your small mistakes. They’re listening for meaning — and your voice matters more than you think. And when leaders speak with clarity and presence, people feel safer, direction becomes clearer, and teams grow stronger.
A New Year, A New Kind of Strength: Health, Hope & Executive Leadership
Harvard Health reporting shows that chronic stress can alter immune function and may even trigger or accelerate autoimmune disease. I experienced this personally — and so did Dr. Tim Riegel, Burn & Reconstructive Surgeon. Now we help high-performing leaders reduce stress load on the body and reclaim their health.
There Is No Single Path to Leadership in Healthcare
Leadership in healthcare rarely follows a straight line. It’s often an up, down, and sideways journey—one that stretches you personally and professionally. This reflection explores what leadership really is, why so many clinicians are thrust into it without preparation, and how greater self-awareness can make the path forward more sustainable and grounded.
The Dark Side of Residency: What Our Survey Revealed About Death Thoughts, Anxiety, and Leadership Failure.
Resident surgeons in Canada are reporting monthly death thoughts, high anxiety, and fear-based training environments—conditions driving many to leave for the U.S., where they feel more valued and supported.
Workplace Safety for Residents and Surgeons During the Christmas Season
Across the U.S. and Canada, residents and surgeons are carrying an extraordinary amount of stress, burnout, and emotional weight. A confidential wellness survey I conducted reveals what’s really happening behind the scenes—and why leadership, culture, and proper training are now essential for safety and well-being in surgical environments.
Flirting in Surgical and Clinical Settings Will Severely Affect Your Bottom Line.
Even subtle flirting between boss and employee can shift power dynamics, affect trust, and put both staff and clinics at risk. This short self-assessment helps teams recognize early warning signs.
The Culture of Complex Healthcare Systems
What does it take to build a high-functioning surgical practice? It starts with the right Medical Office Assistant and a culture rooted in strong boundaries. In this post, I unpack a decade of insights from real surgical environments—and how small systems changes can transform a surgeon’s daily life.
Barriers to Employment in the Workplace
After losing my mobility, I learned that true strength begins where comfort ends. Today, I help organizations create workplaces where everyone — no matter their ability — can thrive.
When Women Lead, Companies Thrive — Harvard Says by 47%
One moment on a worksite reminded me that respect is still the missing link in too many workplaces — and it’s costing companies dearly.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Does it Work?
Raising the bar on respect—treating every colleague with dignity regardless of age, race, or gender—is the real key to equalizing workplace culture.
Mastering Leadership Presence: How to Build Trust and Influence as a Leader
Unlock the secrets to becoming a more impactful leader by mastering leadership presence. In this post, Nancy Riegel shares a personal story and practical insights on how emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and intentional leadership can help you build trust with your team and lead with confidence.
How to Develop Your Personal Leadership Brand
What does your leadership brand say about you—especially under pressure?
In this post, Nancy Riegel shares a personal and professional journey of defining her leadership identity, from a dramatic early job experience in the oilfield to helping senior leaders reduce stress and lead with clarity. With practical insights and heartfelt stories, this reflection invites you to explore what kind of leader you truly are—and how to bring that into the light.
Surgical Practice Leaders: How Communication, Compassion, and Unity Drive Results
Why I Wrote This Book (And Why It’s Essential for Surgical Practices)
What started as a mission to help my husband, a Burn and Reconstructive Surgeon, turned into a guide for transforming surgical practices. In this post, I share how strong leadership, clear systems, and the right strategies can reduce burnout, improve efficiency, and create thriving medical teams.
The Benefits of Being a Servant Leader: Empowering Others Through Grace and Humility
Being a servant leader means putting others first, leading with humility, and embracing challenges with grace. In this blog post, I explore the power of servant leadership, sharing insights on how it helps women in diverse roles—from CEOs to single moms—create meaningful change. Discover how embracing conflict and empowering others can transform your leadership style and make a lasting impact in your community and beyond. Leadership isn’t about personal gain; it’s about elevating others, even in the face of adversity.