COMING FULL CYCLE

“Power always brings with it responsibility.” Theodor Roosevelt

In the recent general elections, so many health workers participated and got elected to different posts mostly the member of parliament and member of county assembly posts. This is a great stride because if they play their cards rights we might finally be heard. However, I do not wish to be the grinch, but I must ask. Do you think we will benefit? Personally, I do not know but time is our ally, and it shall reveal the truth to us.

 

If we were to base it on different experiences in our current or previous workstations we would further appreciate the validity in saying I do not know. For instance, are you a leader/manager in your current role? If not are you happy with the kind of leaders/managers that oversee your practice? What is the reason behind your response? You get the gist, don’t you? If this is the first time you are authentically pondering on it, take your time. If you are a leader ask yourself if the roles were reversed would you be happy receiving the same treatment you provide? If you are not a leader/manager when given the opportunity, will you mimic what you see? 

If you are unsure there are diverse ways to have a bare minimum understanding of your interactions with people. I will just list three and you can look up more later.

1. Ask for an honest opinion from someone you oversee - As you do so please be aware your feelings  may get hurt but it should not give you an opportunity to be vindictive and personalized. Be open to hearing their opinions first and self-reflect. In that conversation, emotional intelligence is key.

2. Use available leadership, management, and accountability assessment tools- Where our system fails is assuming that just because someone is great in the clinical area it automatically translates to them being a good leader or just because someone has taken up leadership courses they translate to great managers. This is a false belief and if we were bold enough to admit it we would realize that it does not always pan out as expected. Being an effective leader and manager is a delicate balance. It calls for building competence in these two fields and dancing to the rhythm of accountability. It calls for continued learning and never getting too comfortable such that one is no longer productive but more entitled and dismissive. It calls for use of regular self-assessment tools to identify one’s gaps. Plainly put such tools are a way to take a personal inventory and identify one’s strengths and weaknesses. Examples of such assessment tools will be highlighted below.

3. Have mentors - Please get someone who is challenging you to be better. Iron sharpens iron. A good mentor corrects you lovingly but firmly, coaches you on the right but often uncomfortable path, and encourages you. Being your best is not for the faint-hearted.

The traits of a good leader can be innate and acquired. However, both require taking time to refine them. Please, do not be hard on yourself if you are yet to get there just keep trying. Some of these skills include:

1. Being an effective communicator- Proper utilization of verbal and nonverbal cues is essential. It is not the number of words/actions spoken its about the quality.

2. Be empathetic - Often when people are elevated to positions of “power” I use this word lightly, of course, we tend to forget our backgrounds and become disengaged. Empathy is a skill possessed by a few, but it creates such a difference.

3. Be an efficient delegator - Do not try to do everything to prove a point but also do not delegate the things you least enjoy doing just because you can. This is an acquired trait so learn about it.

4. Establish trust – Trust builds safety as it allows people to communicate their vulnerabilities, it also may reduce turnover, improves morale, and often also reduces workplace anxiety. Ever wish to open on something and someone quickly responds by saying be careful these walls have ears. BE cautious this is coded language and translates to there being no trust within the organization.

5. Be a lifelong learner- Leadership and management is a great opportunity to acquire new skills. Building a knowledge base in your field is essential to keep people inspired to be better. It has no formula so utilize what works best for you.

6. Empower others- Building the skills you can identify among your team members not only builds respect but is also a great avenue to ensure the team is efficient. Otherwise, if you must always be in the limelight... I need not say more.

6. All the rest- Be great at Organization, Coordination, Collaboration etc

In conclusion, as you seek to evolve into being better at your role or in a new role do not forget that "a good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better." Jim Rohn

References

1. https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-leader-as-coach

2. https://oxford-management.com/

3. https://oxfordsummercourses.com/articles/effective-leadership-skills/

4. https://www.leadershipsuccess.co/critical-leadership-skills/common-leadership-assessment-tools