Career Track

Leverage: The Hidden Key to Transforming Your Medical Career

What do Airbnb and the career of a successful physician have in common? More than you'd think…

Did you know that nearly almost 50% of physicians are planning a career move by 2025? (Forbes). This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a wake-up call.

We get it. The path of a physician isn't always straightforward. You've worked hard to get where you are, and now you're wondering if there's a better fit out there.

Many doctors, early in their careers, find themselves in roles that don’t align with their long-term goals, leading to dissatisfaction and burnout.

Considering a career move? Exploring side gigs? You need to understand one key concept: leverage.

A big part of what we do here at Lucens is helping guide physicians through career transitions. Here's some of what we've learned about leverage.

What Is Leverage, and Why Is It Critical for Physicians?

In business, leverage is the strategic use of resources—financial, intellectual, or social—to achieve greater results. For physicians, leverage is about understanding your true value, both as a clinician and as a professional capable of driving revenue, enhancing patient outcomes, and leading change. When you clearly understand where your leverage lies, you gain the power to make career moves that align with your goals.

Let’s start by looking at examples from the business world:

Airbnb: Airbnb founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia leveraged a niche opportunity during a design conference in San Francisco where all hotel rooms were booked. This prompted them to create an air mattress bed-and-breakfast idea, which eventually evolved into Airbnb, leading to its billion-dollar valuation (Knowledge at Wharton).

Slack: Slack achieved rapid growth through user feedback and a viral, product-led strategy. Initially, Slack's founders encouraged friends and beta testers to try out the product. By continually iterating based on user feedback, they built a product that users loved and were eager to share, helping Slack grow exponentially without a traditional sales team (First Round Review). Fun fact: Slack is one of the favorite tools of the Lucens Team.

Now, let’s look at how leverage applies to physicians:

Example 1: A doctor with specialized procedural skills can negotiate for more favorable terms or create a niche role that offers both professional autonomy and financial flexibility.

Example 2: A physician with strong patient satisfaction scores or outcomes can leverage that data in discussions with leadership, illustrating their value not just in clinical terms but in boosting the reputation and profitability of their hospital or practice.

5 ways to build your leverage as a physician

1. Know Your Value—Then Articulate It

You’re not just delivering patient care. You are a highly skilled professional offering specialized services, mastering new technologies, and influencing health outcomes. The key to career advancement is recognizing how these contributions translate into value for your organization.

Action Prompt: What specific skills or expertise make you indispensable in your practice? Write down two ways you contribute to revenue generation or improved patient outcomes. If you can quantify these, even better.

2. Challenge the Misconception: Doctors Have Leverage, Even Early On

A common myth is that early-career physicians have little leverage in negotiations. In reality, you have more bargaining power than you think, especially when you understand your role in generating revenue and delivering exceptional care.

Action Prompt: How does your practice measure productivity—through procedures, RVUs, or patient volume? Assess where you stand and whether your contributions are being accurately reflected. If not, identify where you can improve or clarify this with a mentor or senior colleague.

3. Understand the Economics of Your Role

Doctors often overlook the business side of medicine. Yet, knowing the financial realities—like the fact that practices typically operate with overhead costs of 40-60%—can be empowering. For a business to afford your salary of $X, you’re expected to generate 1.5-2X that in revenue. Understanding this dynamic strengthens your negotiating position.

Action Prompt: If you don’t already know, calculate the approximate revenue you generate annually. Don’t hesitate to consult a practice administrator or finance lead to walk you through the numbers. This is critical information to leverage in future negotiations.

4. Think Beyond Salary—Negotiate What Matters

Most doctors believe salary is the only negotiable part of their contract. In truth, many elements can be adjusted, especially if you understand what’s important to you. Whether it’s flexibility, professional development, or leadership opportunities, you have room to customize your career.

Action Prompt: Identify three areas of your current role that you want to improve, whether it’s work-life balance, fewer on-call hours, or more opportunities for professional growth. Bring these priorities to your next performance review or negotiation.

5. Pay Attention to Flexibility Cues

Effective negotiation requires reading the room. Subtle cues during conversations—whether it’s openness to new ideas or a history of flexible contracts—can signal how much room there is to negotiate.

Action Prompt: Reflect on recent conversations with leadership or peers. Did they suggest openness to change or more flexible working conditions? How can you use these signals to your advantage in future negotiations?

The Lucens Bottom Line: Leverage Your Career to the Fullest

Leverage isn’t just about salary or titles. It’s about maximizing your professional potential by understanding and using the value you bring to the table. Whether it’s negotiating a new role, securing a side-gig, or redefining your current position, leverage gives you the power to shape the career you want.

Understanding your leverage isn't just about negotiation—it's about opening doors to a more fulfilling career. And trust us, those doors are out there.

Now, it's time to take the next step. Schedule that meeting with a mentor, dig into your practice's financials, or outline your goals for your next negotiation.

You have more control over your career than you think. We're here to help you use it.

Want to have articles like this in your inbox each week? Subscribe to our newsletter The Dose >

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Did you know that nearly almost 50% of physicians are planning a career move by 2025? (Forbes). This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a wake-up call.

We get it. The path of a physician isn't always straightforward. You've worked hard to get where you are, and now you're wondering if there's a better fit out there.

Many doctors, early in their careers, find themselves in roles that don’t align with their long-term goals, leading to dissatisfaction and burnout.

Considering a career move? Exploring side gigs? You need to understand one key concept: leverage.

A big part of what we do here at Lucens is helping guide physicians through career transitions. Here's some of what we've learned about leverage.

What Is Leverage, and Why Is It Critical for Physicians?

In business, leverage is the strategic use of resources—financial, intellectual, or social—to achieve greater results. For physicians, leverage is about understanding your true value, both as a clinician and as a professional capable of driving revenue, enhancing patient outcomes, and leading change. When you clearly understand where your leverage lies, you gain the power to make career moves that align with your goals.

Let’s start by looking at examples from the business world:

Airbnb: Airbnb founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia leveraged a niche opportunity during a design conference in San Francisco where all hotel rooms were booked. This prompted them to create an air mattress bed-and-breakfast idea, which eventually evolved into Airbnb, leading to its billion-dollar valuation (Knowledge at Wharton).

Slack: Slack achieved rapid growth through user feedback and a viral, product-led strategy. Initially, Slack's founders encouraged friends and beta testers to try out the product. By continually iterating based on user feedback, they built a product that users loved and were eager to share, helping Slack grow exponentially without a traditional sales team (First Round Review). Fun fact: Slack is one of the favorite tools of the Lucens Team.

Now, let’s look at how leverage applies to physicians:

Example 1: A doctor with specialized procedural skills can negotiate for more favorable terms or create a niche role that offers both professional autonomy and financial flexibility.

Example 2: A physician with strong patient satisfaction scores or outcomes can leverage that data in discussions with leadership, illustrating their value not just in clinical terms but in boosting the reputation and profitability of their hospital or practice.

5 ways to build your leverage as a physician

1. Know Your Value—Then Articulate It

You’re not just delivering patient care. You are a highly skilled professional offering specialized services, mastering new technologies, and influencing health outcomes. The key to career advancement is recognizing how these contributions translate into value for your organization.

Action Prompt: What specific skills or expertise make you indispensable in your practice? Write down two ways you contribute to revenue generation or improved patient outcomes. If you can quantify these, even better.

2. Challenge the Misconception: Doctors Have Leverage, Even Early On

A common myth is that early-career physicians have little leverage in negotiations. In reality, you have more bargaining power than you think, especially when you understand your role in generating revenue and delivering exceptional care.

Action Prompt: How does your practice measure productivity—through procedures, RVUs, or patient volume? Assess where you stand and whether your contributions are being accurately reflected. If not, identify where you can improve or clarify this with a mentor or senior colleague.

3. Understand the Economics of Your Role

Doctors often overlook the business side of medicine. Yet, knowing the financial realities—like the fact that practices typically operate with overhead costs of 40-60%—can be empowering. For a business to afford your salary of $X, you’re expected to generate 1.5-2X that in revenue. Understanding this dynamic strengthens your negotiating position.

Action Prompt: If you don’t already know, calculate the approximate revenue you generate annually. Don’t hesitate to consult a practice administrator or finance lead to walk you through the numbers. This is critical information to leverage in future negotiations.

4. Think Beyond Salary—Negotiate What Matters

Most doctors believe salary is the only negotiable part of their contract. In truth, many elements can be adjusted, especially if you understand what’s important to you. Whether it’s flexibility, professional development, or leadership opportunities, you have room to customize your career.

Action Prompt: Identify three areas of your current role that you want to improve, whether it’s work-life balance, fewer on-call hours, or more opportunities for professional growth. Bring these priorities to your next performance review or negotiation.

5. Pay Attention to Flexibility Cues

Effective negotiation requires reading the room. Subtle cues during conversations—whether it’s openness to new ideas or a history of flexible contracts—can signal how much room there is to negotiate.

Action Prompt: Reflect on recent conversations with leadership or peers. Did they suggest openness to change or more flexible working conditions? How can you use these signals to your advantage in future negotiations?

The Lucens Bottom Line: Leverage Your Career to the Fullest

Leverage isn’t just about salary or titles. It’s about maximizing your professional potential by understanding and using the value you bring to the table. Whether it’s negotiating a new role, securing a side-gig, or redefining your current position, leverage gives you the power to shape the career you want.

Understanding your leverage isn't just about negotiation—it's about opening doors to a more fulfilling career. And trust us, those doors are out there.

Now, it's time to take the next step. Schedule that meeting with a mentor, dig into your practice's financials, or outline your goals for your next negotiation.

You have more control over your career than you think. We're here to help you use it.

Want to have articles like this in your inbox each week? Subscribe to our newsletter The Dose >

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