The Rhythm Beneath the White Coat
Anand Lalaji MD is known today as a physician, radiology entrepreneur, and CEO—but his story began not in a hospital or boardroom, but behind a drum kit. Before he ever read a scan or led a medical team, Lalaji was a musician. Drumming wasn’t just a hobby during his early years; it was a discipline that shaped how he thought, collaborated, and led.
Growing up in New York, from Hell’s Kitchen to Long Island, Lalaji balanced rigorous academics with a deep love of rhythm. He played in jazz bands throughout high school and college, even performing in concerts and with local groups while pursuing a demanding pre-med education. These early experiences—playing in sync with others, adapting to changing tempos, and listening as much as performing—left a mark that would extend far beyond the stage.
Music as a Model for Leadership
For Lalaji, the connection between music and leadership became clear over time. Being a drummer taught him about timing, coordination, and flow—all of which translated directly into how he manages people and systems. In a band, the drummer provides the foundation; in a radiology practice, a leader plays a similar role, creating structure while enabling others to shine.
Unlike a solo instrument, drums are inherently collaborative. Lalaji sees leadership the same way: less about commanding attention, more about creating cohesion. As a CEO, he uses this mindset to shape the culture of his radiology group, emphasizing teamwork over ego, rhythm over reaction.
Leadership, he believes, is about anticipating the next beat while staying fully present in the current one. Just as in jazz, where improvisation is essential, running a growing medical organization requires a combination of structure and flexibility—two skills drumming taught him early on.
Collaboration Over Competition
One of the most enduring lessons Lalaji draws from music is the value of listening. In a band, success depends on paying attention—not just to the notes, but to the dynamics between players. The same is true in business. Lalaji has built his leadership style around active listening, making sure his team feels heard, valued, and empowered.
This collaborative spirit is especially important in radiology, where multidisciplinary coordination is vital. From technologists to administrators to referring physicians, the work is rarely done in isolation. Lalaji fosters environments where communication is open, where everyone understands their part in the bigger picture, and where credit is shared.
He believes that the best leaders create space for others to contribute their unique voices, just like the best bands leave room for each member to improvise while staying in sync. That philosophy has helped his organization scale while preserving its core values.
From the Stage to the Strategy Room
While drumming provided a creative outlet, it also laid the groundwork for Lalaji’s business intuition. Playing live music demands quick thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adjust on the fly—skills that now serve him well in strategic planning and decision-making.
In moments of high pressure, Lalaji returns to the mindset of a performer. Just as a drummer stays grounded during a tempo shift or solo section, a business leader must remain calm, focused, and attuned to the needs of the moment. That ability to stay composed under pressure, while reading the energy of the team, has been a hallmark of his leadership.
Furthermore, the repetition and practice that music demands mirror the work ethic Lalaji brings to healthcare. Excellence, in both fields, doesn’t come from talent alone—it comes from consistency. Whether rehearsing drum patterns or refining workflows in a radiology group, progress comes beat by beat.
Creativity in the Clinical World
Though radiology is often viewed as a highly technical specialty, Lalaji sees it as inherently creative. Diagnosing subtle abnormalities, communicating findings with clarity, and innovating in operational strategy all require a kind of right-brain thinking. His musical background gave him the confidence to approach challenges creatively, not just clinically.
He encourages young physicians and professionals to explore the arts—not as a diversion, but as a source of growth. For him, music didn’t distract from his medical career; it enriched it. The ability to think metaphorically, to find rhythm in chaos, and to build harmony across different teams has made him not only a better physician but a more effective entrepreneur.
Anand Lalaji MD often reflects on how playing music helped him develop comfort with uncertainty. In jazz, there’s beauty in the unexpected. In medicine and business, the same mindset can turn disruption into innovation.
Leading with Heart and Rhythm
Today, Anand Lalaji still keeps a drum set nearby. He may not perform as often, but the lessons remain present in every leadership decision he makes. His journey from drummer to doctor to CEO is a reminder that the qualities nurtured outside the traditional realms of medicine—curiosity, creativity, and collaboration—can be powerful assets within it.
Leadership in healthcare doesn’t have to be rigid or transactional. For Lalaji, it’s about feeling the rhythm of the team, responding with empathy, and knowing when to lead and when to listen. These aren’t lessons he learned in medical school—they came from music.
And in many ways, that’s the beat he still follows.
