Exploring the Personal Side of Leadership (7 & 8 of 10)…

My penultimate pairing of qualities & attributes essential as leaders, have me thinking of all the struggles I'm witnessing right now to get this balance right. With so many clients & colleagues, I'm seeing them literally feeling like they have to have their armour on daily to navigate (maybe that's also setting the tone of how I feel about these two as I write?) & I get it. But can you find another way other than 'shields up'; working with what is in your control & how you work with the pressure?

7. Accountability: High on the list as something we need to foster & instil in others, & we do. However, first taking responsibility for one’s own actions & decisions is crucial in leadership, setting an example for the team & absolutely setting or reinforcing the culture. Including how we handle making mistakes, how we handle pressure & how we treat others.

8. Motivation: No surprises this starts with us, we can't help showing when it's missing for us too. But it's definately our role to inspire & motivate team members to achieve their best results, & we can involve them in finding out what will 'really' make a difference. It's not the continuous new campaigns or shiny things that last, but how you engage & treat people that counts.
#leadershipitspersonal #accountableleadership

Exploring the Personal Side of Leadership (5 & 6 of 10)…

As my train speeds me to a client, & an afternoon of Action Learning, where not everyone can yet trusts the process & it’s value (understandable) - these two qualities are very much on my mind.

5. Integrity: Trust is cited so often as being pivotal in how others respond to us, especially when everyone is under pressure or uncertain. Built on what we say & do, a leader’s honesty, reliability, & consistency in actions & decisions are always noticed.

6. Adaptability: As leaders we need to be flexible & willing to adapt to changing circumstances, demonstrating resilience & problem-solving skills. Actively experimenting & encouraging other to do so, making sure we check-in on perception versus reality.
#leadershipitspersonal #takingyoufurther #leadingbyexample

Leadership that takes you on…

Exploring the Personal Side of Leadership (3 & 4 of 10)…

From a warm & very friendly Mumbai, about to work with a great leadership team, I have the next two personal attributes, skills & qualities on my mind:

3. Empathy: A leader’s ability to understand & relate to the emotions & perspectives of team members fosters trust & strong relationships. But there’s an art to this, a need to be aware of your own emotions, what drives you & what triggers you as much as the effort you put into finding out about the other.

4. Communication: Clear & open communication is essential for leaders to convey their vision, provide feedback, & maintain transparency. How about starting with knowing & really knowing what you need, what you know & what you are asking for, before jumping into what you’re going to say. And, just as important - are you united as a team or a lone wolf?
#leadershipitspersonal #empathyinaction #communicationmastery

Leading the way takes more than simply having a vision

Exploring The Personal Side of Leadership (1 & 2 of 10)…

The qualities, characteristics, & behaviors I see as pivotal in a leaders interactions with others, demonstrating the extent of their own self-awareness. The more depth you can get into these, with challenge you trust, the more insight you have for impact:

1.Self-awareness: Effective leaders understand their strengths, weaknesses, & values, allowing them to make informed decisions & better relate to others.

2. Emotional intelligence: Understanding & managing one’s emotions & those of others is critical for navigating interpersonal dynamics.

#leadershipitspersonal #leadershipinsight

That’s my reading material sorted for the next few months!

I’m noticing the importance of where I am now, investing heavily & even more curious than in my early career. Maybe on my mind as my kids are starting out, exams all done finding their careers, & reminds me how I was all those years ago!

What am I thinking?

One thing I do know, is that my curiosity is definitely at the forefront of helping my clients - individuals & organisations find out & tackle what’s important right now

Clinical Leadership Action Learning

Creating a vital space

that makes a difference in how we lead healthcare & support those doing it

Finalising plans with a long standing client, about to start Clinical Leadership Action Learning.
Based on the trust they have in me to create a space that’s safe, challenging, gets into the professional as well as personal challenges. BUT still ensures organisational impact & learning.
The ‘real’ opportunity for these clinical leads will be daring to:
- Give & hear really straight feedback
- Get into & struggle with what’s difficult
- Ask for & accept help
- Own & take responsibility for their part in what’s happening.
And so much more around relationships, organisational conversations & culture.
Looking forward to getting started next month!

Non-Medical Education & Development That’s Vital!

The only time I pick up & read a book cover to cover is on holiday, & usually something well away from healthcare. But seeing Adam Kay on Saturday Kitchen before summer, I was intrigued by this Ex-Dr turned comic & author. I read both his books in 4days - rare for me. His raw take as a medic, humour & openness was as billed, but I wasn’t expecting such a strong synergy with what I do & the message throughout. I believe we need to do more in encouraging clinicians to take up development & challenge that’s professional AND personal, if we are to keep them & support them to do what we need them to do! Don’t just leave it to HR Directors to explore what would make a difference - ask for a conversation & see where it takes you…
#leadershipitspersonal #coachingthatcounts

Clinical Leadership - Beyond the clinical...

I don't post about specific clients, being careful to protect their confidentiality & it's not my story to share...
But recently more & more of the clinical leads I support are operating in THE toughest of situations of their careers to date. And they're not asking for courses, tool kits, campaigns or guidance. It's making the time for straight talking, critical challenge & building key relationships that makes the difference to do more than cope day to day.

Coaching & facilitation is not a nice to have, it has 'teeth' when you work with someone who brings real challenge that unlocks self-leadership in new ways.
Do get in touch if you'd like a call to explore for yourself or your team.
#leadershipitspersonal #criticalconversations

Vital space to step back & have space to notice, explore & do more than cope…

Drs in leadership - Not underestimating the ask!

I’ve been lucky in my career to support, spa with & challenge many fantastic Drs. Nothing to do with their medical expertise or specialism, not what they need me for! But everything to do with their experience & exposure to leadership, challenge & feedback - which people often avoid when you are the consultant who makes those life & death decisions.

Do we really support & challenge enough the non-medical side of medical leadership?

Then we recruit you into a seemingly parallel universe of wider governance, finance, engagement & culture change - where we need you to see different perspectives & work with politics, power & pressure in new ways. But first, you have to be curious, or willing to admit that even you may need to adapt & take a fresh look… Everyone needs a mirror & reality check every now & again - where do you get yours?
#leadershipitspersonal #medicsinleadership

Sharing the whole me as a leader…

When you hire me & I work with you, I bring what you need not my whole life story. But I believe leadership is personal & we get the best our of people & teams when we remember this. Therefore, being true to how I live or work I’m sharing THE most amazing week in pictures I’ve just had for my 50th! I’m truly blessed by every message, adventure & challenge I get to share with you all. So here’s to many more connections & exploration together!

#leadershipitspersonal