Helping Leaders Take Flight

Leadership matters. In medicine, in business, and in life, the quality of our leadership shapes not only our own journey, but the journeys of those around us. I have spent my career—first as a surgeon, educator, and executive, and now as a coach—helping others discover their strengths, navigate challenges, and reach new heights.

My own story began in Tehran, Iran, and has taken me across continents, through the halls of Georgetown University, and into operating rooms, classrooms, and boardrooms across the United States. As a surgeon, I learned the value of precision, resilience, and teamwork. As an educator and leader, I discovered that the most lasting impact comes not from technical skill alone, but from empowering others to grow, connect, and lead with empathy.

Over the past three decades, I have served as a professor, department chair, and health system executive, earning recognition for both clinical excellence and my commitment to teaching and mentorship. I have been privileged to work alongside—and learn from—extraordinary colleagues and students, and to serve on national boards and committees dedicated to advancing surgical education and leadership.

As I complete my Masters of Leadership and Organizational Change at Case Western Reserve University, I’m looking forward to bringing ideas like Appreciative Inquiry and Intentional Change Theory into my work—adding new depth to how I lead, teach, and drive positive change.

But the thread running through all of it is simple: Leadership matters. It matters in the operating room, where clear communication and trust can mean the difference between life and death. It matters in organizations, where culture and vision shape the wellbeing of teams and the communities they serve. And it matters in our personal lives, where self-awareness and courage help us weather storms and seize new opportunities.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

  • "The coaching I have received from Dr. Shabahang has been instrumental in enhancing my leadership approach. Through our discussions, I have developed greater confidence in handling difficult conversations and gained valuable strategies for navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. By approaching leadership relationships with intentionality, I have learned to advocate more effectively and with greater confidence."

    Kanika B., MD, MMS, FACS, FAAP

  • "Mo has been more than a coach—he's been a mirror. In moments when I was stuck in my perspective, he gently challenged me to see the other side, helping me reframe situations with humility and compassion. His ability to listen deeply and reflect what truly matters has shifted my mindset in powerful ways. His coaching has changed the way I lead—and the way I show up in the world."

    Faiz S., MD, FACS, FASMBS

  • "The knowledge and skills I gained with Dr. Shabahang was transformational.  I was able to work through a difficult relationship with my leadership and then use my experience to help others."

    Dmitry Nepomnayshy MD, MSc

  • "Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Dr. Shabahang, through monthly coaching sessions. His unwavering dedication, consistency, and generosity have left an indelible mark on both my personal and professional growth. What makes Dr. Shabahang truly exceptional is his fearless ability to dive deep—not just into goals or surface-level challenges, but into the core of what drives me, what holds me back, and who I want to become. He creates a space that is entirely free of judgment yet grounded in honesty and accountability. His insight, presence, and skillful questioning have helped me confront limiting beliefs and reconnect with my purpose in a way I didn’t know was possible. The impact he has had on my life is nothing short of transformational. I am a stronger, more authentic version of myself because of his guidance, and I am deeply grateful. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take it. It may be one of the most important investments you ever make in yourself."

    Natasha Keric, MD, MBA, FACS, FCCM

For Leaders Ready to Find Their Way Forward

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