Leading with Purpose & Connection 5 Steps to Holistic Leadership at ADK Hospital, Malé, Maldives
Leading with Purpose & Connection
5 Steps to Holistic Leadership at ADK Hospital, Malé, Maldives
April 6, 2025
Facilitated by Nick Jonsson and Dona Amelia
A Transformational Day at ADK Hospital
On April 6, 2025, 40 of the leadership and healthcare professionals from ADK Hospital gathered in the capital of the Maldives for a leadership experience that was both profoundly personal and professionally energizing.
In a time when the pressure on healthcare leaders continues to rise—from demanding schedules and constant crisis response, to the emotional weight of caring for others—this session offered a rare moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect to what truly matters.
The training, titled “Leading with Purpose & Connection – 5 Steps to Holistic Leadership,” was delivered by professional speaker and master coach Nick Jonsson, with heartfelt support from Dona Amelia. Together, they created a safe and vibrant space where people could reflect, reset, and rediscover their inner compass.
This was not a technical workshop. It was human. Honest. Courageous. And ultimately—transformational.
Opening the Heart: Starting with Gratitude
Nick began the day not with a slideshow or an agenda—but with a simple, powerful question:
“What are you grateful for today?”
He shared that every morning since January 1, 2024, he has written down his daily gratitude list—together with 20 men in his weekly support group. This small act, repeated daily, has fundamentally changed his emotional state. He no longer wakes up stressed or anxious—he begins each day grounded in appreciation, presence, and possibility.
On this morning in Malé, Nick’s own gratitude included: being back in the Maldives, enjoying a run before sunrise, and feeling strong and healthy in mind and body.
One by one, the participants shared their own gratitude—from family and health to moments of joy and rest. It shifted the energy instantly. Colleagues saw each other not just as roles, but as human beings with shared hopes and challenges.
This moment of connection set the tone for everything that followed.
Introducing the Power of Holistic Leadership
For many participants, this was their first introduction to Holistic Leadership—a model that integrates professional performance with personal well-being.
Nick explained that holistic leadership is about much more than managing people or hitting KPIs. It’s about showing up as a whole person, and supporting others to do the same. It includes:
Physical Health – caring for your body and energy
Mental and Emotional Health – processing stress, building awareness
Psychological Safety – creating trust and honesty in relationships
Social Connection – building community and meaningful bonds
Resilience – the ability to keep going without breaking down
“In leadership, we’re often taught to give more. But you cannot pour from an empty cup. Holistic leadership teaches us how to lead sustainably—without burning out.”
Participants explored four reflective questions:
Why is holistic leadership needed more than ever in healthcare?
How can it support your personal well-being?
How does it influence how you lead your team?
What kind of culture does it create in your organization?
From Burnout to Breakthrough: Nick’s Personal Journey
Nick then shared his story—not just the success highlights, but the real, human truth behind them.
He spoke about his years working in the medical industry, managing hospitals and large clinics in Vietnam and Indonesia. He led big teams. He achieved great success. But beneath the surface, he was running on fumes.
“I looked successful on the outside—but I was breaking down on the inside.”
Eventually, the weight of overwork, isolation, and lack of self-care caught up with him. What followed was a journey through addiction, burnout, and breakdown—but also recovery, healing, and reinvention.
Today, Nick is seven years sober, a top 2% Ironman athlete, and a coach who has helped hundreds of leaders rediscover balance, health, and meaning. His story resonated deeply with the ADK team—many of whom face similar pressures and expectations in their healthcare roles.
The 5 Steps to Holistic Leadership
With vulnerability and clarity, Nick introduced his proven framework:
The 5 Steps to Holistic Leadership
Surrender – Let go of the ego, control, and old mindsets
Purpose – Clarify what really matters to you
Connection – Build trust with yourself and others
Goals – Align your actions with your higher values
Discipline – Show up every day with consistency and care
This framework gave participants a roadmap not only for better leadership—but for a better life.
Dona offered gentle reflections throughout, helping the group process their insights and bring the concepts back to their own workplace context.
What Participants Said
The room was buzzing with energy, honesty, and renewed motivation. Participants walked away with new insights—but more importantly, with a deeper sense of self and a stronger connection to their colleagues.
💬 "Excellent workshop. Very productive and filled with positive vibes. A life-changing experience. ❤ Excellent, Nick & Dona! ❤❤"
💬 "Had a great session with Nick Jonsson and Dona. Thank you both for making my day!"
💬 "One of the best leadership workshops I’ve attended."
💬 "I truly admired your speech—it helped me make some important decisions."
💬 "Hi! This was the best session I’ve had so far."
💬 "Very positive!"
And from the HR Director who brought Nick and Dona in:
“Indeed, it was a very good session. Our staff enjoyed it. Thank you, Nick and Dona.”
Closing Reflection: A Life Beyond the Ordinary
Nick closed the session with one final truth:
“You are never too old to grow young.”
It was a reminder that leadership is not a title or a task list—it’s a way of being. And when leaders care for their own well-being, they are far better equipped to care for their teams, patients, families, and communities.
Bring This Experience to Your Team
If your organization is looking to build leadership capacity, prevent burnout, and foster a deeper sense of purpose and connection, this is the kind of training that makes a lasting impact.
📩 Learn more or book a session at www.nickjonsson.com
