Articles

Physicians and Leadership

Formal training in management and leadership skills are not often part of standard medical education. Instead, many physicians learn how to be leaders on the job by observing their own supervisors and other physicians around them. The best leaders, however, make learning these skills intentional and work to improve how they set direction with and for others. In this episode of the Docworking podcast, I discuss with host Jill Farmer what I have seen work in terms of helping physicians grow their leadership skills. Our conversation covered many topics, including: The importance of feedback and how physicians can get more...
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(Re)Building Trust as a New Leader

by Rik Nemanick, PhD BCC I was recently discussing with one of my coaching clients* the importance trust plays in leadership, especially when you take over after trust was lost by a predecessor. My client shared with me a time he learned that lesson very well. He had taken over as a director for a large function at his organization and was holding listening sessions with the front line workers. These sessions were part of getting to know his new organization as well as letting them get to know him. What he didn’t expect was the story one of the...
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Questions to Ask When a Mentor Becomes a Sponsor

by Rik Nemanick, Ph.D. As a tool for developing talent, mentoring can be so powerful because mentors are so versatile. One mentor can play a multitude of roles for one protégé. A mentor can be seen as a role model, inspiring her protégé by leading by example. She might also act as a sounding board, thought partner, and advisor, giving her protégé the time and space to ponder his world and expand his thinking. She might also provide protection within the organization for protégé, giving him cover for taking risks or helping him recover from mistakes. Finally, she might advocate...
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Mentoring During a Pandemic (Notes for COVID-19)

By Rik Nemanick, Ph.D. With all of the uncertainty we are facing due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, it is fair to ask why write a piece on mentoring. Everyone is scrambling to understand what they should do during the current situation or how it will affect them and their families. It is because of this uncertainty that mentoring matters. While a mentor may not have any answers to the questions any of us is facing, a mentor can provide some time and space to catch our breath and vent some of the pent-up anxiety COVID-19 is bringing on. To...
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