'Fulfilment is an addictive part of leadership'

Pearls of wisdom from Dr Marc Ruemmler, Chief Operating Officer, NE assets of Anglo Arabian Healthcare & Hospital Director, Amina Hospital, Ajman

How do you typically start your workday?
By either exercising or practising Chi-Gong with meditation. I like to alternate them, but sometimes I choose according to my energy level and state of mind.

What is your favourite thing about your job?
I have the opportunity to lead a fantastic team, and together we are creating an environment of healthcare services to help people and serve patients in need. Every day we strive to raise the bar with the medical services and quality that is available in our facilities.

In your workday, what is the thing you cannot do without?
Meeting and communicating with people to try and solve problems together, make good decisions and spread a little bit of inspiration, positivity and hope. If I achieve this, even on a minimal basis every day, I get a sense of fulfilment. That is the addictive part of leadership, especially in healthcare.

Your most challenging task/project to date?
When working as a Revenue Cycle Consultant in Germany, I had to get highly experienced doctors to work with me, support our ideas on improving individual hospitals and departments while having absolutely no authority in those organisations. To achieve any result in such a situation, you have but one choice: To inspire and convince. This defined my leadership style and it will be my approach for the rest of my hopefully long career.

Once scent that you absolutely cannot get enough of?
Fresh croissants in the oven when I prepare breakfast for my wonderful wife to start our weekends.

Who's your role model as the perfect professional?
Despite not having had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I would say Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Renault and Nissan, for his determination to achieve positive change and to deliver outstanding results even in very challenging environments by forming great multinational teams.   

Your favourite indulgence when you need a break from work?
Spending quiet time with my wife, ideally enjoying nature, good food and wonderful conversations.

What is the last thing you usually do before you go to sleep?
I try to let the day pass through my mind, be grateful for what I have experienced and think about what to achieve the next day.

What is your greatest dream, professionally?
To lead my own successful healthcare company that combines outstanding employee satisfaction with an unconventional approach to healthcare delivery.

Any advice for aspiring healthcare leaders?
I am absolutely convinced that successful leaders must understand the true nature of their businesses. Therefore, healthcare leaders should serve patients for a certain time in their career, to understand what it means to serve human being in need and to be forced to take decisions under pressure that can decide over life and death.  
- Staff reporter