Building Championship Teams in Medicine: What Healthcare Can Learn from Sports

By Your Health Magazine

The Crossover Between Sports and Healthcare Leadership

At first glance, sports and medicine might seem worlds apart—one rooted in competition, the other in compassion. But dig a little deeper, and the similarities become impossible to ignore. Both demand teamwork under pressure, trust among individuals, discipline in execution, and a shared goal that’s bigger than any one person.

For Anand Lalaji, MD—a physician, former college volleyball player, and CEO of The Radiology Group—the connection between athletics and healthcare leadership isn’t abstract. It’s foundational. His experiences on the court have shaped his approach to building a cohesive, mission-driven radiology practice that delivers at a high level every day. The same principles that build championship sports teams can—and should—be applied to modern medical organizations.

Shared Vision Wins Games—and Saves Lives

No great team succeeds without a clear and shared vision. In sports, this might be a championship title or a playoff berth. In medicine, the goal is more enduring: delivering exceptional care, protecting patient safety, and continuously improving outcomes. But in both arenas, everyone—from the top leaders to the most junior team members—needs to understand and align around that vision.

Anand Lalaji, MD has long emphasized the importance of mission clarity in healthcare. When every team member knows why they’re doing what they’re doing—and how their role fits into the bigger picture—they work more effectively and more collaboratively. In radiology, that means more accurate reads, better communication with referring physicians, and quicker turnaround times that directly impact patient care.

Communication is the Cornerstone

In team sports, communication is constant and essential. Players call out plays, give feedback mid-game, and regroup between sets or quarters. Without open lines of communication, even the most talented athletes fall short. The same applies in healthcare. A high-performing medical group doesn’t just rely on skill; it thrives on how well team members listen to, support, and inform one another.

Radiology teams, in particular, depend on seamless communication. Whether it’s discussing a complex scan, ensuring continuity of care across time zones, or providing feedback on workflow improvements, the exchange of timely and accurate information is non-negotiable. Strong communication habits prevent errors, enhance trust, and allow for faster, more confident decision-making.

In his leadership at The Radiology Group, Anand Lalaji MD has worked to create a culture where communication is not just encouraged—it’s expected. Transparency and mutual respect are baked into team meetings, case reviews, and internal systems. The result is a team that functions more like a sports unit than a corporate department.

Coaching Over Commanding

One of the biggest leadership lessons from sports is the value of coaching over commanding. Great coaches don’t simply issue orders. They mentor, they challenge, and they invest in their players’ growth. They create an environment where feedback is constructive and personal development is celebrated.

Healthcare leaders can learn a great deal from this approach. Radiologists, physicians, and clinical staff are highly trained professionals—but like athletes, they benefit from continued learning, encouragement, and support. Rather than managing through top-down authority, effective medical leaders guide with purpose, patience, and personalization.

Dr. Lalaji often draws inspiration from coaching models when it comes to developing talent within The Radiology Group. Whether it’s supporting radiologists with subspecialty interests, helping team members manage burnout, or giving emerging leaders a chance to grow, his philosophy is rooted in building people up—not micromanaging them down.

Discipline and Systems: The Hidden Backbone

While raw talent may win a few games, championships are won through discipline. Athletes train relentlessly, follow regimens, and respect the systems that keep them sharp. In healthcare, discipline isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency. It’s about showing up prepared, following best practices, and continuously refining protocols for better results.

For radiology teams, that means sticking to reporting standards, ensuring peer review systems are in place, and using data to identify and correct performance gaps. It’s about respecting the process—even when it’s repetitive or tedious—because that process is what guarantees reliability and safety in patient care.

Much like in sports, where systems allow teams to remain competitive season after season, healthcare organizations thrive when they build repeatable, scalable systems that support excellence. Anand Lalaji MD has focused on creating these kinds of structures in his organization, blending innovation with accountability so the entire team can succeed together.

Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast

Peter Drucker’s famous quote about culture eating strategy is never more true than in both sports and medicine. A team with great strategy but toxic culture will fall apart. On the other hand, a team with average resources but strong culture will often outperform expectations.

In healthcare, culture shows up in how teams respond to pressure, how they treat one another in stressful situations, and how they maintain focus when challenges arise. It affects everything from physician morale to patient satisfaction.

Anand Lalaji, MD believes that culture isn’t a byproduct—it’s an intentional outcome of leadership. He’s seen firsthand how investing in values like empathy, teamwork, and integrity can fuel sustainable success in a healthcare group. Just like on the court, when players—or physicians—know they’re supported, they perform at a higher level and hold each other accountable.

Learning from Losses, Not Just Wins

Every team loses sometimes. The best ones grow from it. They analyze the game tape, adjust their approach, and come back stronger. In healthcare, things don’t always go perfectly either. A miscommunication, a delayed result, a missed follow-up—these are real challenges with real consequences.

What defines a great medical team is how it responds. Owning the mistake, learning from it, and taking steps to avoid it in the future is the hallmark of a championship culture. No one is above improvement, and humility is a trait shared by the best in sports and medicine alike.

Final Thoughts: Leading with Team First

In both sports and healthcare, the “star player” is rarely the one who carries the team alone. Real success comes when every player knows their role, respects the mission, and puts the team first. From physicians to technologists, from operations leaders to front-desk staff, everyone has a vital part to play in delivering great care.

As medicine becomes more complex and interconnected, the need for high-functioning, values-driven teams will only grow. Healthcare leaders would do well to take a page from the sports playbook—not just to improve performance, but to create environments where people can thrive, support each other, and do meaningful work every day.

That’s how you build championship teams in medicine—and that’s the kind of team Anand Lalaji MD continues to champion.