6 minute read
Women In Academic EM Charting Your Course for Leadership
Charting Your Course for Leadership
By Wendy C. Coates, MD
This article first appeared in the December 2021 issue of AWAEM Newsletter.
If you ask a group of middle schoolers to describe what a leader looks like, chances are you’ll hear all sorts of adjectives like, “strong, big, forceful, popular, athletic, smart, aggressive… male.” Historically, women with equivalent or superior credentials have experienced barriers to leadership roles, but in 2022, women have more opportunities than ever to travel existing avenues to leadership or pave their own paths, drawing on life experiences to gain traction and develop expertise. This article highlights practical tips to harness your inner leadership style, devise your roadmap to leadership, and set goals to define your success as a leader. You may want to grab a notebook and reflect on how you relate to these scenarios. Can you think of a similar time in your life? Using these reflections, you can envision your role as the leader you want to be and chart your course to get there.
Myth 1: “I’ve never been given the opportunity to lead.” Fact 1: You’ve always been a leader!
Example: In elementary school, you get along with all the girls in your class. Suddenly, a new girl joins in 3rd grade and your friends imply that you should join them in ignoring her. Instead, you risk your comfortable position in the crowd and invite the girl to play with you, even though the other girls glare at you disapprovingly. You had the courage to do what you believed in. Leading by example is a tried-and-true strategy. Your values guide your leadership style.
Myth 2: “Leaders must be forceful and stand their ground.” Fact 2: Quiet actions demonstrate your leadership!
Example: An elderly patient cries out urgently in the busy emergency department (ED), “Nurse, nurse, I need the bedpan!” Your female medical student and resident authoritatively point out to the patient, “I am not the nurse, I am your doctor. I will tell your nurse.” Observing this scene, you quietly collect a bedpan, walk to the patient’s bedside, draw the curtain and provide
aid. This simple action demonstrates to the trainees (and the rest of the ED staff) that patient care should be everyone’s first priority. No job is beneath the leader when it helps accomplish the goal.
Myth 3: “Leaders have to know everything.” Fact 3: Your vision is enhanced by empowering your team to share ownership.
Example: You have been appointed to lead a task force to create an enrichment experience for women in the pipeline, including a programmatic assessment strategy. You reflect that you are passionate about pipeline programs and have opinions on the target beneficiaries and desired activities; however, you know nothing about assessment science. The good news is that you really care about this program and want it to succeed! Leverage the shared enthusiasm and diverse talents of your teammates to create a program that belongs to everyone. Your vision will be extended and improved by the richness of invested stakeholders. Empower your diverse team to realize your vision.
Myth 4: “I don’t have enough experience to be the leader.” Fact 4: The journey to leadership takes place one step at a time.
Example: You want to be the residency program director for your department. However, you’ll be much more effective if you truly understand the components of this role and have time to grow under the mentorship of those with more experience. Begin by participating in group activities, such as the department’s education committee, review of Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) applications, and the rank list meeting. As you gain proficiency, you can take on individual leadership tasks. Some examples: take ownership of completing the program information form (PIF), remediate a struggling resident, manage the budget for the recruitment social events, etc. After assuring a thorough understanding of individual tasks, a logical progression may be to serve as associate program director (PD). When it’s time, you’ll be ready to step into the ultimate role of PD. Every step along the path teaches you valuable skills that will make you a better leader.
Myth 5: “Asking for help is a sign of a weak leader.” Fact 5: Leaders stand on the shoulders of giants and walk alongside those whom they lead.
Example: You have secured a leadership role as department chair and are unsure how of to meet some of your goals. You worry that asking senior colleagues for help will make you look weak, causing a loss of respect, and that asking your faculty for suggestions will diminish your authority. Senior leaders want you to succeed and can serve as invested consultants. The faculty will respect you more if they understand your questions are motivated by your desire to help achieve their career goals. Keep your eye on the prize, solicit opinions, but have the courage to make the final decisions. The coxswain of a rowing team is rarely the biggest, burliest member, but their constant guidance and vision leads to a winning outcome. Successful leaders focus on service and empower team members to achieve the ultimate goal.
What should you do next?
• Identify a leader to emulate. What do they do? What do you admire about their leadership style? How do they get things done? How do they cope with failure? Do they blame their team or own the responsibility? • Improve your knowledge. Give yourself the gift of a dedicated leadership course so you can focus on your professional development and build a network of like-minded peers. • Take advantage of leadership opportunities. Devote time to leading initiatives that align with your personal mission. Find a mentor and be deliberate about what success looks like to you. • Practice saying “no.” If an opportunity doesn’t align with your professional mission, it is best to decline, but inquire if there is a more suitable opportunity available. When you do say, “yes,” make sure you give it your all! You and your team deserve your best effort. • Spread your talents and empower others. There’s always someone in the leadership pipeline! Be generous about sharing your talent to help others realize their potential. Be a supportive mentor to cultivate the next generation of leaders. You’ll be rewarded by enjoying your mentees’ successes and you’ll expand the network of capable leaders!
A good leader can accomplish any task under favorable conditions. A great leader can navigate stormy waters and unify her team to meet and exceed goals together. Aspire to being a great leader! Serve and amplify others and remain true to your mission.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Coates is a professor of emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Emergency Medicine, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. She is 20202021 secretary-treasurer on the SAEM Board of Directors and serves on the editorial boards of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM) and AEM Education & Training journals. @CoatesMedEd
About AWAEM
The Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine works to promote the recruitment, retention, advancement and leadership of women in academic emergency medicine. Joining AWAEM is free! Just log in to your member profile. Click “My Account” in the upper right navigation bar. Click the “Update (+/-) Academies and Interest Groups” button on the left side. Select the box next to the academy you wish to join. Click “save.”
