Doctors with two jobs

If you are a doctor with a leadership or management responsibility, then the chances are, you have two jobs.

I've just come back from the annual Faculty of Medical Leadership & Management (FMLM) conference where I was exhibiting and speaking. The conference is aimed at clinicians who have an interest in developing leadership and management skills for themselves, or others. I really enjoyed my time there and met a lot of really interesting and thoughtful people. I really admire those of you who take up the challenge of a leadership role. You don't have to do it and you don't really get any thanks or reward for it. And the reality is, that if you don't give up your medical role, you have to the juggle the demands of your leadership challenges with your clinical priorities. Doctor and coach Richard Winters writes this month, this can come in four different challenges:

1. Overwhelmed by organisational noise - urgent priorities means a reactive and fire-fighting approach
2. Feeling stuck as an outsider - not belonging to either tribe
3. Feeling stuck in transition - not knowing how your leadership skills are developing
4. Feeling trapped in a time warp - organisational change and projects can take a long time

Department chairs, managing partners, medical directors, chiefs of staff—they’re all frustrated. As a practicing physician with experience in several leadership roles, I know how they feel: They don’t recall saying to their childhood friends, “I want to be Vice President of Medical Affairs when I grow up.” Richard Winters MD. See Richard's blog 'Coaching doctors to become leaders' HERE

I think those people who are prepared to stick their neck out and have a go at these roles deserve to have proper support and development. Coaching and mentoring are an effective way to develop the skills and approaches you will need. Because it is tailor made for you, your strengths and weaknesses and the environment you work in, it can accelerate your leadership development significantly. As one client said to me recently, “I probably would have got there eventually, but this coaching has sped up my learning by 1-2 years.” (Consultant).

Call 0754 0593476 or email me on alexishutson@yahoo.com and talk to me about your leadership role.