Today, we are joined by Dr. Sarah Smithson, MD, MPH, and Jane Cooper-Driver, co-founders and co-CEOs of Relational Leadership Partners.

In the conversation, Dr. Smithson and Cooper-Driver explore relational leadership as a human-centered approach that cultivates connection, collaboration, and belonging while addressing how traditional hierarchical models in healthcare leave authenticity, innovation, and quality on the table.

We also cover:

• How relational breakdowns contribute to burnout and why healthcare has become transactional rather than relationship-centered
• Practical, teachable relational practices that transform conflict into creativity and build psychological safety within teams
• Why these skills are not optional extras but foundational to patient care, team resilience, and organizational sustainabili ...