The Best Advice I Ever Ignored—and Why It Changed My Career

Early in my career, I was told something that—at the time—seemed like sound guidance:

“If you want to succeed, you need to specialize. Pick one area of hospital operations and stay in your lane.”

It was advice rooted in the belief that depth beats breadth. That focusing narrowly—on finance, compliance, nursing, or strategy—was the only way to climb the ladder in healthcare leadership.

But I knew in my gut: I wasn’t wired that way.

I wasn’t curious about just one part of the organization. I was passionate about the whole system—how decisions in one area created ripple effects across others. I didn’t just want to fix one spoke in the wheel. I wanted to understand the hub.

So, I respectfully ignored that advice.

Instead, I pursued roles that gave me a view across service lines, departments, and disciplines. I leaned into complex problems, cross-functional teams, and the gray areas that required collaboration, communication, and a systems-thinking mindset. I sought out projects where operations, strategy, compliance, finance, and care delivery intersected—because that’s where the real transformation happens.

And you know what?
That decision shaped everything.

It made me a stronger leader. It gave me the tools to lead through uncertainty. And it positioned me to step into executive roles—because I didn’t just understand the parts; I understood the whole.

Today, I lead with the confidence that comes from knowing how clinical, financial, operational, and cultural levers connect. And I mentor others—especially emerging leaders—not to box themselves into one lane too soon.

Sometimes the best advice is the one you choose not to follow.

Because in choosing the broader path, I found not only my lane—but the freedom to redesign the entire road.

To every leader who’s been told to choose one thing: What if your strength is seeing how it all fits together?