What happens when you’re tasked with leading a clinical team, but you don’t have clinical credentials yourself? 

In this episode, Zed and Paul are joined by Kirk Hughs, Operations Director at University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, to unpack the hard-earned lessons that non-clinical leaders need to succeed in a clinical world. From navigating resistance to earning trust and aligning through empathy, Kirk shares practical strategies (and a few battle scars) for how to lead with influence, not authority. If you’ve ever felt like your title wasn’t enough to gain buy-in, this one’s for you.

Brought to you by ASCENT: https://www.askascent.com/

Connect with Kirk Hughs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-hughs/

You don’t become a great leader by having all the answers. You become one by being open to the right influences. 

In this episode, Zed and Paul unpack the often overlooked truth about leadership growth: it starts with accepting guidance. Whether it's mentorship you seek or wisdom you absorb simply by being in the room, becoming a better leader requires proximity, humility, and the willingness to admit that you still have things to learn. If you've ever felt like you don’t quite belong in the leadership seat yet, this conversation is for you.

Brought to you by ASCENT: https://www.askascent.com/ 

Connect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulyrichards/ 

Connect with Zed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zedwilliamson/

Hosted by Paul Richards, President of ASCENT and Director of Otolaryngology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, and Zed Williamson, Founder and CEO of Physician Growth Accelerator, The Practice Leader Podcast is designed for one audience: the medical practice administrator who wants to lead better, grow stronger, and stop feeling like they’re on an island.   In each episode, Paul and Zed bring candid conversation, real-world experience, and battle-tested strategies to the frontlines of practice management. Whether it’s navigating physician relationships, improving operational efficiency, or learning how to present data that drives change, this show delivers the insights and community you didn’t know you were missing.   If you’ve ever felt like the only one putting out fires or wondered if there’s a better way to lead your team and grow your practice, you are in the right place.   You’re not alone. You’re just one episode away from your next breakthrough.