Inside-Out Healthcare Leadership with Dr. Blanca Lizaola‑Mayo
Leadership Communication in Medicine
Dr. Blanca Lizaola‑Mayo | Transplant Center Medical Director | Mayo Clinic
As Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Center at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Blanca Lizaola‑Mayo leads in an environment where listening is not just a communication skill but a clinical and strategic necessity. Her work sits at the intersection of precision medicine, multidisciplinary coordination, and human decision‑making under pressure.
She operates in systems where outcomes depend on clarity, preparation, and professionalism. Her leadership shows how senior physicians expand their impact not only through expertise, but through the way they influence, align, and communicate.
This article is part of DOOIT’s Inside-Out series, which explores how leaders in healthcare strengthen their impact from within—through the internal disciplines that shape external results.
How do leaders make career decisions when uncertainty is unavoidable?
For Dr. Lizaola‑Mayo, every major decision begins with listening to her gut instinct. Intuition is her first filter—an internal signal shaped by experience and values.
Uncertainty is always present. So is the risk of failure. What allows her to move forward is knowing that most decisions can be corrected and that every step teaches something.
She relies on trusted friends and mentors who know her well and who are willing to say what she may not want to hear. Their perspective helps her see blind spots and refine her choices.
Over time, she has learned that things tend to fall into place. But only if we try. Without action, we never discover whether a decision was right.
How do experienced leaders balance intuition with analysis?
“Intuition becomes reliable when it is informed by experience, reflection, and trusted counsel—allowing leaders to act decisively without ignoring complexity.”
What changes when a leader begins operating in a different professional league?
For Dr. Lizaola‑Mayo, growth into higher‑stakes leadership came through time. Experience accumulates across situations, and maturity develops through patience and humility.
Listening to colleagues with more experience has been essential. Their insights help her navigate new responsibilities with greater clarity.
A turning point in her development was working with a coach. Coaching offered a neutral perspective—one that helped her see decisions, relationships, and work life from a different angle.
This external viewpoint strengthened her ability to lead at scale and to adapt as her role expanded.
Why does leadership maturity depend so heavily on perspective?
“Maturity grows when leaders widen their lens—seeking input, questioning assumptions, and integrating viewpoints beyond their own.”
What makes a conversation truly influential in healthcare leadership?
Influence begins with listening. For Dr. Lizaola‑Mayo, listening is an active discipline that includes observing words, tone, and body language.
Every conversation matters. But difficult conversations require more preparation.
She defines the core issue she wants to address and avoids adding too many points, which can dilute the purpose. She often takes time to organize her thoughts and practice how she wants to express key ideas.
A conversation is influential when it creates alignment and generates progress for everyone involved.
How can leaders prepare for conversations without becoming overly scripted?
“Preparation clarifies intent; presence ensures authenticity. Leaders influence best when they know their purpose but stay responsive in the moment.”
How does influence work in complex or multinational environments?
Influence across cultures begins with preparation. Dr. Lizaola‑Mayo learns about the people she will work with, their cultural context, and potential points of connection.
Listening again becomes central. It helps her interpret differences in communication styles and expectations, allowing her to adapt without losing her message.
She enjoys these interactions because they expand her understanding of the world. Working across cultures is not a challenge to manage but an opportunity to learn.
She enters these environments with a clear objective and a collaborative mindset. Shared goals become the anchor for alignment.
Why is cultural curiosity a strategic advantage for leaders?
“Curiosity opens doors—helping leaders interpret context, build trust, and navigate complexity with greater nuance.”
What does it mean for a leader to “show up” when things go wrong?
For Dr. Lizaola‑Mayo, leadership is most visible in difficult moments. Showing up means acknowledging mistakes, apologizing when needed, and taking responsibility.
It also means fixing the situation and sharing what was learned. This approach reinforces trust and models accountability for the entire team.
How does accountability strengthen a leader’s influence?
“Influence grows when leaders own their actions—demonstrating reliability, integrity, and a commitment to collective success.”
How do leaders maintain professionalism under pressure?
A leader is always visible. For Dr. Lizaola‑Mayo, this visibility requires discipline—especially when emotions run high.
Passion can lead to reactions we later regret. Professionalism means recognizing this and choosing to pause when needed.
She often says, “I need more time to think about this before responding or deciding.” That pause creates space to separate emotion from the moment.
It leads to better decisions, clearer communication, and more constructive interactions.
Why is pausing such a powerful leadership tool?
“A pause interrupts reactivity, restores clarity, and ensures that decisions reflect intention rather than emotion.”
Strategic Questions Healthcare Leaders Are Quietly Asking
How can leaders improve their listening skills in high-pressure environments?
By slowing down, observing body language, and focusing on understanding before responding.
Why is preparation essential for influential conversations?
It clarifies the core issue and keeps the discussion focused on what truly matters.
How do leaders maintain professionalism when emotions run high?
They create space between stimulus and response, allowing reflection to guide their actions.
What role does coaching play in leadership development?
Coaching offers a neutral perspective that helps leaders refine decisions and grow with self-awareness.
Healthcare Leadership Manifesto
by Dra. Blanca Lizaola‑Mayo
- One conversation. One problem. The more you add, the more you dilute what actually needs to change.
- Listen first — not to respond, but to understand what words and body language are really saying.
- Clinical intuition is not a shortcut. It’s experience distilled into instinct. Trust it as your first filter.
- A leader is always being watched. Under pressure, passion can make you say the wrong thing — so pause, remove the emotion, and then decide.
- Seek the people who know you well enough to say what you don’t want to hear. They are rare. Keep them close.
- Own your mistakes. Apologize when necessary. Fix what you can. Share what you learned.
- Most things can be corrected. Most things can be learned from. Not trying is the only irreversible mistake.
Leaders operating in high-stakes environments do not evolve in isolation.
They evolve in dialogue with others who carry equal responsibility.
DOOIT International Leadership Club
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Participation is limited to C-level executives in multinational organizations with international scope.
