Professional development programs provide a safe place to think, learn and reflect. They create space to deepen awareness of yourself and how you take up your leadership, professional and clinical roles at work, often across multiple responsibilities, settings and fractional appointments.
Through our professional and leadership coaching programs, doctors have shared with us the difficult work of motivating and sustaining a complex and often fragmented workforce, who are balancing demanding professional and personal lives.
Oftentimes, senior doctors come to us with a specific and current issue that is unsettling them:
A difficult person within their team.
Feeling constantly overwhelmed, overcommitted and therefore less effective across their roles.
The need to give difficult feedback or address underperformance in a colleague who may also be a friend.
The challenge of setting fair and consistent expectations across a team while also balancing the needs of colleagues managing significant personal or health challenges alongside work.
These are all leadership issues. And while there is sound and helpful theory and research out there, and much insight to be gained from leadership concepts, practices and behaviours, many doctors are wanting practical ways to help them navigate specific complexity and find solutions that are going to work for their unique situation.
In reviewing feedback from participants who have engaged in our programs over the past five years, several themes consistently stand out:
The programs deliver practical and meaningful outcomes that can be applied directly within the workplace.
They create a safe and supportive space for reflection, learning and professional growth.
Participants value having structured time to unpack complex and challenging professional issues.
The programs support the development of leadership identity, confidence and self-awareness.
Many participants entered the program initially sceptical, but felt the experience exceeded expectations.
The programs are seen as valuable professional development across different career stages and roles.
Many participants view coaching as an ongoing professional development and support tool throughout their career.
Taking up leadership and senior clinical roles in healthcare is complex.
Health services, clinics and teams rely on highly specialised professionals working together across demanding and often fragmented systems to provide patient care around the clock. The pace and complexity of this work can at times feel overwhelming and exhausting.
Dr Anna Clark (PhD) delivers AMA Victoria’s Leadership education and Leadership coaching programs.
If you have been thinking about taking some time to reflect on your leadership work, clarify your direction or invest in your ongoing professional development, we encourage you to explore Leadership, schedule a free 15 minute Leader Check In and explore our leadership education and coaching programs.