In 2018, NBC launched a six season television drama series called “New Amsterdam”. Its focus was America’s fictional oldest public hospital located in New York City; the New Amsterdam. Among the series’ main characters was the hospital’s new Medical Director Dr. Max Goodwin.

As a student of management, I was instantly captivated by Dr. Goodwin’s favorite question which seemed to lie at the core off his management approach and philosophy. ‘How can I help” he was constantly asking his Department Heads, Medical Practitioners and hospital staff. In pursuit of his determination to elevate the quality of patient care at the hospital, he was invariably willing to follow this question with action when presented with a specific patient related answer.

In a nutshell, I believe Dr, Goodwin”s simple question captures the essence of every manager’s job. It provides a daily reminder of where to direct one’s attention and of what it is a manager is expected to do.

To ask the question “how can I help” demands it be directed towards others; a focus on those individuals doing the daily chores of your organization. It reminds you that your value added as a manager lies in the ability to leverage your authority and provide the permission and resources necessary to help others improve the quality of their work. It gets you outside yourself and into the service of your organization through enabling others. It is a powerful motivator, it encourages initiative, and it stimulates passion and creativity. It’s hard to argue with that.

Categories: Communicating Effectively, Learning Managers, Managing & Leading