Adjusting leadership approaches may be key to further unlock digital technologies’ potential in improving organisational processes amid the continuing shortfall in health workers worldwide, according to a renowned leadership coach.
Frank Koo, the founder of Nextplay, which supports leaders and executives in navigating changes in the workplace, is set to speak about transformational leadership at the upcoming HIMSS25 Asia-Pacific (APAC) conference in July.
Koo was previously head of Asia at LinkedIn and held leadership roles at BE Education as COO, Pearson Education as president of Learning Solutions, and Oracle as the managing director for Singapore South Asia Growth Economies.
He also sits on the board of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals in Singapore.
Healthcare IT News had a quick chat with Koo to get to know him better, his thoughts on digital transformation approaches in healthcare, and what attendees can expect from his session at HIMSS25 APAC.
Q. Frank, can you tell us something about you that very few people know about?
A. During COVID-19, I tried to “stretch outside my comfort zone” by learning Latin dance. While doing so, not only did I realise I truly have two left feet, but also during a lesson, I sprained my ankle so badly I had to walk with crutches for a month!
Q. What was the motivation for you to become a coach for leaders?
A. Having led businesses and organisations for nearly three decades, I realise many leaders today are still using the outdated approach of “command and control” in their leadership. This makes them completely ineffective given today’s fast-changing environment and younger workforce, and many are unaware of this. I, therefore, want to help our leaders uncover what effective leadership is today and how they can make the change.
Q. While the pandemic advanced the digital transformation of healthcare, many hospitals and health systems in APAC still struggle with change management and organisational-wide transformation as they embark on this transformation. What do you think are the common pitfalls here?
A. The struggle with change management often stems from deeply rooted cultural and structural factors. Many organisations approach digital transformation as a technology problem rather than a human transformation challenge. Leaders frequently underestimate the emotional journey that healthcare workers experience when familiar workflows and trusted relationships with technology are disrupted.
The most significant pitfall is leading with technology rather than purpose. Leaders often get caught up in the capabilities of new systems without clearly articulating how these changes will improve patient outcomes or reduce clinician burden.
Q. What do you think are core principles that health leaders today must have in relation to their role in inspiring change?
A. Adaptability, Learning Agility, Transformational Mindset, and Purpose-driven Approach to Leadership.
Q. What can attendees of the conference expect to take away after attending your session?
A. A practical framework for leading human-centred change in the age of AI. They’ll understand how to build psychological safety during periods of technological disruption, ensuring their teams feel supported rather than threatened by innovation.
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Frank Koo is set to join a lineup of healthcare leaders, influencers, and changemakers who will impart insights into digital health transformation at HIMSS25 APAC from 16 to 18 July. Pre-register your interest here.
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