Important Thoughts about Leadership – Part 2

[epcl_box type=”success”]Continuation of the previous post part 1.[/epcl_box]

Needed for Leadership!?

What is the one characteristic? Just one if you had to pick one characteristic that every leader should have, regardless of their field of work?

I would say integrity regardless of what profession you are, in, what situation you are facing, I believe, once you have that, the rest will fall in place.

Because we all know that some people are not meant to be leaders. And that’s perfectly fine, right? Whether it’s their personality, or just lack of the set of required skills. Well, everyone hates negative statements, but some people just have different skills, right? So those people who are not suited for leadership are more often than we think put in leadership roles for whatever reason, and it’s usually damaging to the team organization… etc.

How do you deal with a leader who doesn’t really lead. How do you work with that?

you know, I’ve been fortunate enough. I’ve worked about six seven different bosses. All from being a student, intern, resident, then the last couple of jobs, I was definitely fortunate. However, I did see people around. So my advice would be, I’m not saying it is going to be an easy route. My advice is, practice what you believe in, have integrity, have good intentions, learn how to manage up, manage your boss. And these are the things that you can control. And if things don’t work out, there’s always an exit strategy that you can put in place.

What is the biggest challenge facing any leader nowadays?

So I think one of the absolute biggest challenges facing a leader sometimes, especially more now than ever, is knowing when knowing what the right thing to do is, I think that’s, that’s one of the key things as leaders is that people look to them to always know what the right thing to do is to know where we’re heading to always be clear around the messaging and the communication to those that we lead.

And I think one of the challenges in this unprecedented in this once in a generation, once in a lifetime experience and challenge we’re going through is knowing what’s around the corner. And when you’re responsible for a number of people, when you’re responsible for patients when you’re responsible for a department.

I think that uncertainty is an absolute challenge. And if I was to just add to that, I think the other kind of the key challenge is that constant drive to learn. I always call myself a student of leadership. And I think the challenge is, is continually learning as you go through your journey. So I would just compound that in the answer with the fact of being a continual learner. I think that’s a that’s a challenge and also an opportunity to better oneself.

Are there any values that we need to have as pharmacists or as pharmacy leaders, that would allow us to further progress in the field?

it’s the same concept, whether it’s pharmacy or non-pharmacy related, but in the world of pharmacy, the profession is changing very quickly.

A particular value is to believe that the change is the only constant. So, it’s about the change management and how to convince your senior staff to change to speed and that the speed of the profession as well. We are moving fast into automation into informatics into innovation. At the same time focusing on patient experience at the same time focusing on patient safety, a new position evolving, like, for example, in the field of patient experience and innovation. So, a particular value of a pharmacy leader is to be very quick.

[epcl_box type=”information”]Just keep pushing. And I think to myself, well, if I’m walking in the footsteps of those who have led the profession of pharmacy, then I think I’m on the right track. So we’re always learning and inspired by the leaders.[/epcl_box]

You’ve read a lot of values today. honesty, integrity. servient. You know, anybody reading this, would know that helping others is a key thing. The value that that really strikes for me is celebrating collaboration, celebrating difference. I think one of the key absolute opportunities for us in the pharmacy profession is bring people together.

The more diverse our profession is, the more we gel together, and will we continue our journey together. That is perhaps the strongest, I believe, one of the strongest points of our profession that we can speak with a unified voice. So I would say that celebrating diversity, but also bringing people along that journey with you is absolutely vital.

And just to finish it off, I believe two things would definitely be values that I would take along with me. Number one is respect. Respect of people around you respect for their ability to make a difference, respect of other professionals, for the collaboration and lastly, be flexible, I think innovation is another value that will come very handy. Things are changing at a rapid pace.

That said, change is the only constant, we will need to have innovation as our value to really make a difference as we go on. So next generation of pharmacy leaders, be ready to be innovative, leadership is waiting.

What’s your advice for someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Keep learning your job, your job as a leader has just started. And when you’re in a position, you are responsible for not only yourself but many other people. And it’s it’s really, really onerous on you. But it’s vital that you continue your journey of knowledge, seeking knowledge in your discipline, seeking knowledge outside of your discipline, but also seeking knowledge of what leadership means. So let’s see, continue your journey of learning.

Why do you have to be a leader? Why don’t you know, be a traditional person, do your job right, be an excellent clinician by but why a leader?

If you have the good idea, if you have the experience, and if you have the good intentions, when you are a leader, you can change with minimal resistance. But if you have the good idea, and if you have the good intentions, but you don’t have the leadership title. You may face a lot of obstacles down the road. So many people may object people may get jealous people may not work with you to achieve your target, and then you know, the profession will never evolve or progress. So the main advantage of leadership is that if you have the great ideas, the experience and the ability to change, you can change and you will change.

If you have the craving for the for leadership, you don’t have to wait until you get the title. Start it as soon as you feel that you’re able to, to give. And the second thing is I think always, as you’re entering the stages of leadership and you’re trying your best, you might not always make the right decisions, and you will be criticized. And that’s okay. One of the most important things is look for the lessons learned. There’s always something to be learned. Learn what to do, and learn what not to do. But always be open to that. And I feel that that really helps us as leaders in our profession.

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