This requires mutual respect and understanding what everyone’s role in patient care is. As a physician one has to be open to other’s suggestions and opinions, know when to lead and when to follow as some patient care & management leans more towards allied health than it is medical.

To add to all the great perspectives, one area that can navigate this delicate tension is technology. Leverage technology wisely. If we can reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on providers through technology optimizations, automation, or AI assistance. We will start to see better cohesion and team morale which creates an overall better patient experience.

I would add on that the challenge with setting expectations is ensuring that both sides agree to those expectations. So teams need to move from expectations to agreements so that it is clear on every side.

I have had to resolve many issues that brought disharmony resulting from physician's pride (or rather autonomy) that has brutally affected team's morale...and one thing that has helped me to navigate this is having a honest conversation and open dialogue. Its necessary to get rid of this situation immediately and foster a team spirit, if not, like a cancer , it will spread and affect the team's unity and dynamic.

I navigate this by employing closed-loop communication. Whenever I make a decision, I ensure my team is informed by providing a quick rundown of my thought process. I then invite their input, creating an open discussion where any necessary adjustments can be made early on. This approach fosters collaboration, ensures everyone is aligned, and helps prevent friction, ultimately maintaining both autonomy and team cohesion.

After 16 years, I've seen it firsthand: doctors need autonomy, but isolation destroys team spirit. The fix? Open, honest communication where everyone's voice matters. It's truly a team effort. We need to value every perspective, using it like a survey to find ways to improve patient care, employee morale, and physician satisfaction.

The primary basis of balancing your team with a physician's autonomy will always be based on a clear set of goals and targets, that too in tandem with the physician and the team. Always place forth contributions from both parties and make sure both acknowledge each other, However there's always a chance that a physician may show his/her part in a much superior manner, that's where evidences and work efforts need to be put forth which would bring about harmony. Keep in mind the team is always working with the physician, not for the physician and this part should be cleared at day one to both parties so that the inertial levels remain equal.