Week 4

 

At the VA, I don’t oversee a single clinic or facility. I lead leaders who manage other leaders, across multiple sites, each with their own challenges, cultures, and personalities. That means every decision I make ripples outward, touching hundreds of staff and thousands of veterans.

 

Early in my leadership journey, I learned that leading through layers isn’t about control — it’s about clarity. I remember one initiative to improve patient flow across multiple locations. Each clinic had slightly different systems, and frustration was rising. Staff wanted solutions that supported veterans, but they also wanted their unique needs respected.

 

If I had dictated a rigid, one-size-fits-all policy, I would have lost buy-in immediately. Instead, I focused on building alignment through three things: clarity, communication, and consistency. The result wasn’t perfect, but it built trust — and that trust kept the project moving forward even when the work was difficult.

 

The truth is simple: the more layers your organization has, the more important it is to keep things simple, transparent, and steady.

 

That’s why I lean on a straightforward framework:

 

 

People can’t act on what they don’t understand. Define priorities and expectations in plain language. A clear vision beats a perfect plan every time.

 

Information doesn’t travel on its own. Repeat, reframe, and check for understanding at every level. A message isn’t delivered until it’s actually received.  A leader once told me that “most people have to hear the same message at least six (6) times to really hear it.”  I practice that now.

 

Nothing erodes trust faster than shifting priorities. Show up the same way across meetings, months, and metrics — and people will follow the direction, even during uncertainty. Especially during uncertainty.

 

This approach has carried me through some of the hardest operational changes. In one case, we implemented a new scheduling process that initially slowed things down. But by staying consistent, communicating often, and reinforcing the “why,” resistance faded — and within weeks, the data showed a faster average time to change and engagement.

 

Leading through layers isn’t about being louder at the top — it’s about being clearer, steadier, and more intentional. That’s how you keep the mission moving forward.

 

“You do not lead by hitting people over the head — that’s assault, not leadership.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

 

👉 Forward this to a colleague who leads through layers — they’ll appreciate the reminder.