In today’s episode we are joined by Mathew Knight, General Manager - Victorian Rehabilitation Hospitals, Healthscope.
Starting with a passion for health and science, Matthew tells us how he chose the profession of physiotherapy. He reflects on the critical decision after his studies: hospital or private practice? Mathew chose the hospital route, believing it would offer broader experience. As a new graduate, Mathew worked in a rehabilitation hospital, where he quickly embraced leadership opportunities. This led him to a forks in the road decision: pursue further clinical expertise or dive deeper into leadership? He chose the latter, completing an MBA while working as a manager in a private hospital.
This unique combination of clinical practice and business acumen allowed him to consolidate his learning in real time. Mathew’s leadership journey continued as he took on increasing responsibilities, ultimately becoming the General Manager of three rehabilitation hospitals. In this role, he has the opportunity to influence hospital operations and improve patient care at a strategic level.
This episode offers valuable insights into career growth, the importance of leadership skills in healthcare, and the rewards of staying open to new opportunities.
Let’s dive in!
Key moments in the podcast:
00:07 Matthew's Career Journey
00:50 Early Career Decisions
01:32 Leadership Path and MBA Experience
06:15 Support and Mentorship
12:31 Challenges and Growth
18:07 Leadership Philosophy and Insights
26:35 Final Thoughts and Nuggets of Wisdom
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Start with Passion and Purpose
Initial career decisions often shape long-term growth; align them with genuine interests and strengths.
Explore diverse experiences early on to build a strong foundation for future roles.
Success in leadership comes from a blend of early decisions, learning, mentorship, and building strong relationships.
Seize Opportunities to Lead
Step up to fill gaps or assume leadership when opportunities arise, even if they seem temporary.
Seek guidance from mentors and leaders to navigate career transitions and non-traditional paths.
Focus on Strategic Prioritization
In complex roles, concentrate on big-picture outcomes and measure performance over time.
Prioritise critical aspects like safety, operational excellence, and accountability for sustainable results.
Practice Authenticity and Continuous Learning
Leadership is an evolving skill; stay authentic and adopt a mindset of constant learning.
Recognize and appreciate diverse team contributions to foster a collaborative environment.
Key Leadership Principles
Be Authentic: Develop a leadership style that aligns with personal values and authenticity.
Focus on What’s Controllable: Concentrate on areas within direct influence to stay grounded.
Take Ownership: Fully embrace responsibilities, striving for excellence in each role as it grows.
Listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple or subscribe to it on Substack. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
Connect with Matthew Knight
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will Find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Inscape Media.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
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