Melissa Davis, MD, MBA, Radiology Leadership Institute® (RLI) Learning to Lead Bootcamp Vice Chair of Informatics in the Department of Radiology at Yale University, contributed this piece.
It is not a matter of “if” but a matter of when our young radiologists will make their impact on the future of our specialty. One way to help prepare the next generation of radiology leaders now is through leadership training. Building a strong leadership foundation equips radiologists with the tools to tackle challenges and lead with success. In my experience, this requires an operational skill set which is largely learned on the job, however, I had the opportunity to apply many lessons I took from programs like the RLI for leadership positions I took early in my career.
As radiologists, it can be challenging to find the right type of leadership training program, as many are reserved for mid-career or high-level positions. I’m proud to share that RLI has answered the call to offer young radiologists more leadership development opportunities by creating a new program, Learning to Lead. This pilot bootcamp is designed to help you build the groundwork for strong leadership with training in areas such as building trust and respect, strategy development, conflict resolution, financial literacy and time management between clinical and administrative duties. During my presentation, I’m planning to share my six building blocks of a strong leadership foundation: problem-solving, listening, communication, self-awareness, self-care and mentorship. Not only are these the foundation for leadership, but for me they have helped manage work and life.
Learning to Lead is designed for radiologists, by radiologists, to provide specific insights and practical skills to help you thrive in this specialty. Most importantly, it’s designed to fit your busy schedule. After you register, you’ll have access to a series of pre-recorded presentations for your viewing ahead of the live boot camp on June 22, where you’ll experience two real-world exercises and participate in an open Q&A session with my fellow faculty members.
Leadership development is critical for all, regardless of practice type or career level. I hope you’ll consider taking the next step in yours.
