MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

INSPIRING LEADERS: CULTIVATING THE FUTURE OF GI By Mark B. Pochapin, MD, FACG, ACG President

SPENDING TIME WITH THE MOTIVATED YOUNG PHYSICIAN

LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS PROGRAM (YPLSP) for an intense day-long immersion in leadership skills was one of my top highlights from ACG 2019. Our work together filled me with optimism for the future and reminded me of what I value most about ACG as my professional home.

I had the privilege to collaborate with Dr. David Hass to help launch YPLSP in 2018 as an ACG Institute initiative. The goal is to provide young gastroenterologists with a comprehensive skill set to serve as a foundation for the development of leadership and physician advocacy skills, with a focus on building aptitude in executive decision-making, critical thinking, and understanding organizational behavior. Along with the ACG Institute’s investment in clinical research funding to cultivate the next generation of physician investigators, YPLSP is a pillar of the College’s deep commitment to develop potential, identify talent, hone leadership skills, and create opportunities for networking and collegiality among young gastroenterologists.

This year’s group includes 33 young physicians who range in experience from third- or fourth-year GI fellows to those who are fewer than five years out of training. The capstone experience for the 2018 YPLSP cohort was joining the Governors at the ACG legislative FlyIn in April 2019 to develop advocacy skills and familiarity with the policymaking process.

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR INTENTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Dave Hass and I introduced an exercise that challenged the YPLSP group to reflect on their core values and develop a personal leadership model. It is not often in our busy lives that we take the time to reflect on our ideals and identify those qualities that matter most. Working with large sheets of paper and colored Post-its, the group visualized their models, finding creative metaphors to offer a framework for leadership qualities that resonated with them.

My personal leadership model is in the shape of a rocket built on a frame of trust and integrity, guided with wings of excellence and kindness, always racing to the stars, which represent our greatest aspirations and ambitions (#Reach4TheStars). The flames propelling this leadership rocket represent our desire to always do better and improve ourselves, our patient’s health, and our profession—literally the “fire in the belly.” My model also reflects the value I place on the rocket’s crew, our team, and the need to navigate according to a strategic plan that allows us to plot a course and adapt to change. Because in space, as in life, there are unexpected obstacles that may require a quick change in course.

FINDING INSPIRATION FOR THE LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

I was so inspired by the insights and energy of the YPLSP program that I issued a Twitter challenge to my colleagues to share a favorite leadership quote. I shared mine: “There are only two outcomes for any venture: success or learning. The only time you fail is when you stop trying.”

Within a matter of hours, I had a number of inspiring quotes, including one from YPLSP participant, Edward Barnes, MD, MPH of the UNC School of Medicine. Dr. Barnes tweeted a quote from a fellow Tar Heel, basketball legend Michael Jordan that is one of my absolute favorites: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over in my life. And that is why I succeed.” It was gratifying to see that Dr. Barnes really took to heart one of my messages about successful leadership— great leaders need to fail and learn from their mistakes to be successful, so don’t be afraid of failure!

The YPLSP reminds me of why I am so enthusiastic about ACG's mission and vision. I am inspired and energized by ACG’s commitment to young physicians whose contributions to our profession and to the College will help to define the future of GI. As this program continues to grow, I look forward to working with future generations of enthusiastic and dedicated physicians to unleash their incredible potential and reach the stars.

It was incredibly rewarding to share lessons from my journey as a leader with the YPLSP group. I outlined leadership principles that have been formally taught to me and choose the lessons that have been most meaningful to me that I use in every aspect of both my personal and professional life. I encouraged the group to try new things, allow themselves to be vulnerable, and learn from their mistakes. From my own career, I know how essential it is to seek out role models and to identify the values you want to emulate, and those you want to avoid.

One of the quotes that inspires me is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Another is, “The only place Work comes before Success is in the dictionary.” My advice to the group was to be an enthusiastic, intentional leader who is not afraid of working hard, trying new things, learning from mistakes (which will happen), and always strive to do better. This is a critical point: we can never be afraid of change, because in order to do better, we have to accept change. Intentionality with the goal of always doing better for both ourselves and others will allow us to grow both personally and professionally.