How to be a 'possibilitarian’ in health

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

Leadership expert and author James Laughlin will present strategies for "possibilitarian leadership"  at Digital Health Week in Christchurch this November, aimed at helping healthcare professionals maintain resilience amid ongoing sector pressures.

Laughlin will focus on helping attendees shift from what he calls "miniscularian" thinking to a more possibility-focused approach. 

He says his presentation will address the particular challenges facing healthcare workers who often operate under significant stress and long hours.

"I am going to be talking about possibilitarian thinking. So looking through the lens of what is truly possible, particularly in difficult times," Laughlin says.

"I see a lot of miniscularians in the world, people who are miniscule in their thinking, very negative, always avoiding taking big swings or risks. 

"If we focus on the challenge, often it creates stress and distress. But if we could focus on the possibilities, it allows us to be more free and move forward." 

The Christchurch-based global leadership expert recently published a book – Habits of high performers - which identifies seven key practices shared by successful leaders across industries. 

These include; getting radically clear on goals, supercharging your belief systems, leading your life on purpose, multiplying motivation, doing the work, focusing on priorities, and taking no shortcuts.

He says people should work on changing one habit at a time, rather than attempting multiple changes all at once, and that research suggests it takes 66 days for a habit to become automatic.

For healthcare workers, Laughlin recommends  focusing on controllable factors rather than dwelling on systemic issues outside their influence. 

"Often we vent about and ruminate on things that we have no control over," he says. 

"So just taking responsibility, focus on the things that we actually can control, which is how we show up, how we respond, how disciplined we are, how focused we are."

He also encourages what he calls "taking your meds" - a weekly check-in on meditation or mindfulness, exercise, diet, and sleep.

Laughlin promises his presentation will be engaging and practical, providing attendees with actionable strategies they can implement straight away. 

Register now to hear from Laughlin and other inspiring speakers at Digital Health Week 2025 this November 24-27 in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Earlybird pricing ends 31 October.

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