Evidence-Based Management and Leadership Philosophies, with special guest Rudolf Poolman.

Rudolph W. Poolman

MD, PhD

Professor, Universiteit Leiden

View More

Marc Swiontkowski

MD, FAOA

Professor, University of Minnesota

Mohit Bhandari

FRCSC, PhD

Distinguished University Professor, Chair of Surgery, McMaster University

Rudolph Poolman reflects on his transition from orthopedic leadership into a broader dean role, describing how curiosity and comfort with imperfection shape his approach. He applies evidence-based principles to management, advocating for hypothesis-driven decision-making and hybrid effectiveness–implementation trials to enhance real-world impact. Drawing on stoic philosophy, journaling, and CBT-informed self-reflection, he emphasizes focusing on what is within one’s control. He highlights platform and step-wedge trial designs as essential tools for reducing research waste and accelerating practice change, underscoring that meaningful impact—not productivity—should define scientific contribution.