EP52 | Creating Sustainable Leadership with Erin Treacy

 

💰  This episode is sponsored by Gelt: The tech enabled tax firm for independent physicians.

Independent physicians face unique tax challenges that employed docs don’t. Multiple income streams, practice ownership, contract work, traditional CPAs aren’t built for this complexity. Gelt is. Year-round strategy, optimization and compliance for physicians who chose independence over institution. Let Gelt handle your tax strategy, so you can focus more on your practice.

Take control of your tax strategy:  www.joingelt.com/collaboration/scalpel-and-sword (http://www.joingelt.com/collaboration/scalpel-and-sword)

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What happens when the drive to succeed slowly turns into burnout, resentment, and exhaustion?

In this thoughtful and deeply relatable episode of Scalpel and Sword, Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes business and leadership coach Erin Treacy for a conversation about what it truly means to lead without losing yourself. Drawing from her experience growing up in a multigenerational family business and later leading alongside her own children, Erin shares powerful lessons about accountability, communication, and emotional steadiness in both work and family life.

Together, they explore why high achievers, especially physicians struggle to delegate, how “micro conversations” create stronger learners and teams, and why giving immediate feedback is essential for the next generation of medical professionals. Erin also discusses how Gen Z’s focus on boundaries emerged from watching previous generations burn themselves out, and why leaders must learn from younger professionals rather than dismiss them.

The conversation dives into people-first leadership, creating healthy workplace culture, and the importance of leading with intention instead of constant sacrifice. Filled with practical wisdom and compassionate insight, this episode offers physicians and leaders actionable strategies to build stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and more sustainable careers.

Top 3 Takeaways:

• Two Minutes of Coaching Today Can Save Hours Later: Many leaders avoid delegation because teaching initially feels slower than simply doing the task themselves. But investing even two focused minutes into training and guiding someone builds confidence, creates future leaders, and ultimately frees up enormous amounts of time and mental energy in the long run.

• Micro Conversations Build Better Teams and Better Learners: Short, real-time feedback conversations are far more effective than waiting for formal reviews or evaluations. Whether encouraging growth or correcting mistakes, immediate feedback helps people learn faster, feel supported, and understand expectations clearly, especially for younger generations entering medicine and leadership roles.

• People-First Leadership Includes Taking Care of Yourself: True leadership is not endless self-sacrifice. Erin explains how servant leadership without boundaries can lead directly to burnout and resentment. Creating a healthy culture means caring for employees, patients, and yourself equally, so everyone can show up energized, supported, and capable of doing meaningful work.

About the Show:

 Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Erin Treacy is a business and leadership coach who works with high-achieving professionals navigating pressure, responsibility, and change at work and at home. Raised in a multigenerational Appalachian family business, Erin brings practical experience and deep insight into communication, accountability, leadership, and workplace culture.

Her coaching focuses on helping leaders build stronger teams, healthier relationships, and sustainable success without sacrificing themselves in the process. Erin is especially passionate about people-first leadership, emotional steadiness, and helping professionals create workplaces where both individuals and organizations can thrive.

🔗 Connect with Erin Treacy

🌐 Website: coacherintreacy.com (http://coacherintreacy.com)

📱 Instagram: @coacherintreacy (https://www.instagram.com/coacherintreacy/)

💼 LinkedIn: Erin Treacy (http://linkedin.com/in/erin-treacy)

 About the Host:

Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

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