Peter L. Gosline, CEO
Monadnock Community Hospital

A great success story…. Peter attended Tufts in Boston for his undergraduate education and holds a Master’s Degree in Community Health from the University of Rochester.  He earned his MBA with a focus on Business and Hospital Administration from Cornell University.  Peter has 25 years experience in healthcare administration including executive level positions at Putnam Hospital and Arden Hill Hospital, both in New York.  Peter has been the CEO at Monadnock since 1998.  Peter was recognized as the Business Leader of the Year by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and is the immediate past Chairman of the New Hampshire Hospital Association.  Peter lives in Peterborough with his wife Connie.  Peter and Connie have four children, their youngest, Lauren is a freshman at Wheaton College.   

Natalie Manor, CEO, , Natalie Manor & Associates

As CEO of Monadnock Community Hospital, why would you say that you were asked to participate as a Success Story?

Peter Gosline, CEO, Monadnock Community Hospital

Over the past 3 years, with the assistance of an executive coach (Natalie Manor, CEO, ), I have achieved several personal and professional goals, which has been of great help to me both in my life and in my career. The process is not complete, but continues to be very valuable to me in improving performance.  I consider this to be a success story.

Natalie Manor

What leadership characteristics do you use on a daily basis and why?

Peter Gosline

As a leader in my organization, I am acutely aware that my behavior, communication skills, and accomplishments are an example for others. As such, I attempt to display certain characteristics when at work, despite the fact that they may not be “comfortable” for me. For example, I attempt to see more than one dimension of a problem or issue. I have learned to value others’ perspectives and ways of expressing themselves despite the fact that these may be quite different than mine.  I am less anxious in front of groups, take more risks, and speak up more.  I am more willing to be vulnerable and open when I do not know or understand. I use facilitation skills quite often, and at times utilize skills learned from coaching training with others. 

Natalie Manor

What leadership skills are you still continuing to hone and why?

Peter Gosline

Some outcomes which I am continuing to hone, are organization/prioritization of information that comes to me, being more willing to speak up if my instinct is telling me something rather than wait, and becoming more effective at helping others be more accountable. These are areas that don’t come without significant effort on my part, but I am realizing that I can be very effective once I make the effort.  The behavioral assessment we did at the beginning of my Leadership work helped me to truly understand what my style is and how to work effectively with other styles of leadership and communication.

Natalie Manor

Who helps you be successful?  Staff, family, support people?

Peter Gosline

All three have been most helpful to me, once they realize what it is I’m trying to achieve. The key is to communicate these things and create an environment where people feel they can contribute, and be appreciated for what they have to offer.

Natalie Manor 

What would you say were some of your best learnings from having an executive coach?

Peter Gosline

The first would have to be the importance of achieving clarity with others. This takes self-discipline, especially if one is at all impatient, or tends to pre-judge situations and people based on past experience. There have been several break-throughs with others because I have spent time and really focused on what is most meaningful to others, rather than jumping to conclusion early, or offering solutions without full understanding.

Achieving clarity is not possible without being in “rapport” with others. This is a situation of mutual trust and respect, based on knowing, appreciating, and being able to be open about the strengths and weaknesses of others.

Previously, my main focus when communicating with others was on the content of the message. This was only a small part of the picture.  Renewed attention to very important components such as body positioning and tone, has been a revelation to me.

Natalie Manor

Why did you decide to bring the leadership and communication training to your executive team at the hospital?

Peter Gosline

This was a no-brainer for me. The training was so valuable to me, that I knew the organization would be far better off if I shared this with those around me and my executive team and emerging hospital leaders. 

Natalie Manor 

If you had a room full of senior leaders like yourself and could guide them in any way regarding honing their leadership and interpersonal skills, what would you say to them?

Peter Gosline

First, I would do a testimonial about how the leadership and communication training has been of help to me, and helped to improve my effectiveness. Then I would ask them if they thought they could benefit from this training as well.  If they said yes, I would then ask them what it is that they think would be most valuable to them. Finally, I would ask them how I could support them in achieving these goals.

Natalie Manor

What is most important to you about creating and leaving your leadership legacy?

Peter Gosline

I believe that creation of an environment at work, which encourages and challenges people to improve their communication skills and fosters learning is one of the most important contributions an executive can make in today’s world. A learning environment such as this will allow any organization to be more responsive, improve service, and enhance employee and customer satisfaction.

I have found that access to leadership and communication training has been a major positive influence in my career, and has helped me become a more effective leader in my organization.