In this episode of Beliefs, Behaviors, Communication, and the Brain, I sit down with Desha Dickson, Vice President of Community Wellness at Tower Health, for a conversation on emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and leadership in healthcare. We explore how community wellness goes beyond hospital walls and why understanding people’s lived experiences shapes better care and stronger systems. We also discuss how asking questions, staying open, and leading with humanity can create psychological safety within teams. Tune in for a conversation on leadership, communication, and the power of showing up with both clarity and compassion.
Empathy Deepens When We Step Into People’s Real Environments - True understanding is not formed through data alone but through context. When healthcare professionals spend time in the communities they serve, they begin to see the everyday realities that shape behavior such as how people access food, move through unsafe or uneven spaces, and live their daily lives outside of clinical settings. This awareness shifts care from assumption to accuracy, allowing guidance and support to reflect what is actually possible within a person’s lived experience.
Vulnerability Strengthens Leadership and Psychological Safety - Vulnerability is often misread as weakness, especially in healthcare settings where emotions are minimized. In truth, asking questions, admitting what you do not know, and showing up authentically builds trust and stronger teams. When leaders model humility and openness, they create psychological safety where others feel safe to learn, speak up, and grow.
Psychological Safety Requires Discernment and Communication - Psychological safety is not only about encouraging people to ask questions or share ideas. It also requires understanding the environment and the people involved. Leaders need to recognize when it is helpful to speak up, when to pause, and how others may receive questions or feedback. Without this awareness, even good intentions can be misunderstood, so communication must be both open and intentional.
Modeling Leadership Shapes Culture and Behavior - When leaders consistently model emotional intelligence, curiosity, and human-centered communication, it influences how others lead. Teams begin to reflect those behaviors in how they support their own staff, handle difficult conversations, and prioritize work-life balance. Over time, this modeling helps shape a culture where people lead with empathy, ask better questions, and approach challenges with a more human perspective.
Supportive Leadership Strengthens Confidence - When leaders feel seen and supported by their own leaders, it builds confidence to make decisions and lead well. This kind of support reduces fear and allows for more authentic, steady leadership.
Effective Leadership Requires Letting Go - As teams grow, leaders must learn to step back and allow others to take ownership. Holding on too tightly to every task or decision can limit the growth of emerging leaders. When leaders understand their strengths and trust others with responsibility, it creates space for the team to grow and for work to move beyond one person’s control.
Desha Dickson is the Vice President of Community Wellness at Tower Health, where she leads efforts in health equity, whole-person care, and community engagement. She built the Community Wellness department from a one-person role into a 60+ member team.
With a background in community development, she brings an empathetic, people-centered approach to healthcare leadership. She is known for her emotionally intelligent leadership, focus on psychological safety, and commitment to building strong, human-centered teams.
Connect with Desha Dickson:
Web: https://towerhealth.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desha-dickson/
Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne
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