FOSTERING STRONG

RELATIONSHIPS AND

TRUST IS KEY TO

ORGANIZATIONAL

SUCCESS

EMBRACING

SERVANT

LEADERSHIP

Insights from Healthcare Executives

A Conversation with Haroula P. Norden, FACHE; Sandra Tadros;
and Adrian Parker, FACHE

For Haroula P. Norden, servant leadership is deeply rooted in empowering

others to succeed. As the COO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital,

Haroula leads with the belief that fostering strong relationships and trust is

key to organizational success. She emphasizes the importance of empowering her team, stating, “I

have very good people who work for me. How do I empower them and say, “I trust you, and I

want to make sure you can make this decision. How can I support you?” This approach allows her to

prioritize both patient care and the well-being of her staff, leading to a more cohesive and

effective team.

Haroula also believes in transparency, especially during difficult times. Whether it’s navigating

complex decisions or addressing challenges such as hospital construction affecting parking

availability, she prioritizes clear communication. She candidly shared, “I am open about why I

made the decision, the thought process behind it, and why it is the right decision for the

organization.”

This honesty fosters respect and trust, key elements in servant leadership.

In a recent panel discussion on servant leadership, healthcare leaders gathered to share their

personal experiences, challenges, and successes in adopting this leadership philosophy. The panel

included distinguished leaders like Haroula P. Norden, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer at

Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Sandra Tadros, Senior Administrative Officer at the Urology

Institute of UHealth, and Adrian Parker, FACHE, Executive Director of Strategy for Broward

County Public Schools. Each of these professionals highlighted the ways

servant leadership not only shapes their leadership approach but also

positively impacts their organizations.

Haroula P. Norden, FACHE

Empowering Through Trust and Transparency

Sandra Tadros views leadership as a privilege, with a strong focus on

building meaningful relationships and fostering trust within her team.

As a leader at UHealth, she places great emphasis on caring and serving

her team by making herself available to her staff at all times. Sandra’s approach to servant leadership

is about helping her team grow while holding herself accountable for their success. “I make sure

my team knows they have a voice, and that they have the opportunity to learn and grow to

accomplish their goals,” she said, highlighting her dedication to empowering her team.

A significant challenge for Sandra was stepping into a department that required substantial change.

She noted, “It was difficult because the department didn’t have a lot of change for many years and I

was a new leader there.” Through consistent transparency and integrity, she earned her team’s

trust, transforming the department into a well-functioning unit. Her leadership mantra, “Do

what’s right, not what’s easy,” underpins her belief that servant leadership is about consistently

modeling the behavior she expects from her team.

Sandra Tadros

Building Relationships and Cultivating Integrity

Adrian Parker, FACHE

Shifting Power Dynamics and Encouraging Collaboration

Adrian Parker, from Broward County Public Schools, brings a unique

perspective to the healthcare-focused panel. His experience spans

healthcare and education, two fields where servant leadership thrives. Adrian

believes that servant leadership involves shifting traditional power dynamics. “Instead of leading

from the top down, a servant leader focuses on the needs of their team, patients, students, and the

broader community,” he said. This philosophy allows leaders to nurture potential, provide support,

and create growth opportunities for their teams.

Adrian also underscored the importance of empathy in servant leadership. By leading with

compassion and collaboration, Adrian fosters trust within his organization, helping teams feel

empowered to innovate. He reflected, “When we focus on service and support, we create a culture

where both staff and patients can thrive.” This focus on collaboration directly impacts not only

employee morale but also patient outcomes.

Across the panel, a few key themes emerged: transparency, empowerment, and collaboration. Each

leader shared how their approach to servant leadership fosters a culture of trust and inclusivity

within their organizations. Whether through creating open lines of communication, building

genuine relationships, or shifting power dynamics to empower teams, these healthcare leaders

showcase how servant leadership is not just a philosophy but a way of operating that drives

organizational success.

Servant leadership, as highlighted by this esteemed panel, is about putting the needs of others first,

fostering an environment of growth, and leading with empathy and integrity. By embracing these

principles, healthcare organizations can create stronger teams, better patient outcomes, and a

culture that thrives on trust and collaboration.

The panelists at the Envision Servant Leadership event demonstrated that servant leadership is

more than just a leadership style; it’s a commitment to uplifting others, fostering trust, and driving

positive outcomes. As these leaders continue to champion servant leadership in their organizations,

they serve as a model for how this approach can reshape not only healthcare but any industry.

Lessons in Servant Leadership

A Collective Approach

Conclusion