Beyond messages: Communication as a driver of leadership in health care
Throughout my career, I’ve often heard the same comment whenever challenges come up: "We need to communicate more"—one more email, one more meeting, one more post.
However, it’s not the volume of communication that engages people—it’s the ability to create and convey meaning, build trust, and foster engagement.
In a health care system undergoing transformation, leadership goes beyond decision-making—it’s about bringing people together around a shared vision. To achieve this, communication is one of the most powerful tools we have.
However, communication isn’t just about sharing information. True leaders, those who inspire and mobilize others, know that behind every change, every project, and every decision, people first seek to understand the “why.” They want to know how their contribution aligns with a broader mission and want to give their work meaning.
I’d like to point out that you can't get people to take action because they’re told to do so. We engage people through meaning, which requires communication, of course, but also listening.
For a long time, communications were viewed as a form of broadcasting. Today, however, they should above all serve as a platform for dialogue. The best ideas and most inspiring stories often come from the field.
For example, during a recent photo shoot at the Centre for Hope and Harmony, a patient asked if he could take part. His motivation was simple yet touching. He told us: "It's important for people to see what we offer here." It's to help us better function in society. I'm lucky to have access to these services. "Without them, I don't know where I'd be."
With just a few sentences, this patient managed to convey far more than any brochure or presentation could. He reminds us that behind every statistic there is a person, a story, and a real-life experience.
That’s also what sets inspiring leaders apart: their ability to listen and give people a voice. These leaders understand that communication goes beyond messages, it’s about relationships.
In a health care system undergoing transformation, we all have a role to play in creating and conveying meaning, building trust, and fostering engagement. I encourage every manager, team leader, doctor, and staff member to never underestimate the power of communication and to use it as a leadership tool to inspire, mobilize, and engage their teams around a shared vision.
Ghislaine Arsenault
Vice‑President of Communications and Engagement
The “Voice of Our Leaders,” the blog of Vitalité Health Network’s Leadership Team, covers various topics related to transformation of the health system. The team members share their thoughts – transparently and from their own perspectives – on the issues, challenges and priorities within their areas of responsibility and the health system as a whole. Happy reading and happy reflection!
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