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ADVERTISEMENT Cary Martin, C.E.O. 577 Mulberry Street HOUSTON HEALTHCARE 1601 Watson Boulevard When you were younger, were you in leadership roles and if so, what were they? Going back to my formative years, I have always been in leadership roles. Participation in leadership roles in Boy Scouts, athletics, and school organizations provided me with an early exposure to leadership. I was also fortunate to have several mentors who were willing to invest their time in me. All of them were either former officers or non-commissioned officers in different branches of the military. Their guidance on leadership was invaluable. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013 Warner Robins, Georgia 31093 What is your approach to leadership today? I have come to appreciate that there is no one style of leadership that is appropriate in every situation and one must be prepared to use different leadership styles in different situations. I primarily use a participative leadership style, because I believe the complexity of healthcare requires a team approach with diverse opinions and expertise. However, in a crisis or disaster situation, time pressures usually require an autocratic approach. What are the 3 most important qualities of a good leader? Three of the most important qualities a good leader must have are integrity, the ability to effectively communicate/persuade others, and passion/commitment to what you do. In your opinion, what is the single biggest mistake a leader can make? There are literally dozens of huge mistakes a leader can make. However, failing to recognize, or remember, that your employees are the most important resource any organization has is among the worst mistakes a leader can make. What do you look for and how do you hire good people? Job candidates must first have the requisite knowledge and ability to do a job. Beyond that, we are looking for those with a passion for the job and a documented record of being a team player with the ability to develop creative solutions. To improve our chances of a good hire, we use team interviews. Often, a candidate may not be the best selection for the initial job they are interviewing for, but may be perfect for another job in the organization. MACON MAGAZINE I 63