Join Dr. Darryl Glover as he sits down with Dr. Melissa Barnett—an acclaimed optometrist, specialty contact lens pioneer, and founder of Alpine Blue Coaching—to uncover the secrets of mindful leadership in eye care. In this engaging conversation, they explore how intentional presence and self-awareness empower teams, why proactive wellness rituals can replace burnout, and how clear, compassionate communication transforms patient outcomes and practice culture. Whether you’re leading a bustling clinic or striving for a healthier work–life balance, Dr. Barnett’s insights will equip you with practical tools to elevate your leadership, inspire your staff, and reconnect with the joy of caring for others.

By embracing mindful leadership, optometrists can transform stressful environments into resilient, engaged teams. The result is a practice culture that attracts talent, delivers superior patient experiences, and sustains long-term growth.

At its core, mindful leadership begins with self-awareness. In eye care, clinicians must juggle exam lanes, optical dispensaries, patient education, and business metrics—often all at once. To cultivate presence:

Increasing self-awareness improves decision-making and models authenticity for staff, who in turn feel safer sharing ideas and concerns.

In eye care, effective communication shapes patient trust, adherence to treatment, and team alignment. However, 75% of professionals report anxiety around public speaking and presentations, indicating a need to strengthen interpersonal skills. Mindful leadership in communication involves:

By investing in communication mastery, practitioners elevate patient experience, strengthen referrals, and position themselves as thought leaders in the broader healthcare community.

Alpine Blue Coaching Example
An eye care professional struggled with low confidence in both team leadership and public engagement. Despite strong clinical skills, she hesitated in staff meetings, avoided mentoring junior colleagues, and turned down opportunities to present at local optometric gatherings.

Coaching Intervention
Through a six-week program with Alpine Blue Coaching, she engaged in:

Outcome: Within two months, the practitioner:

This case exemplifies how a mindful, customized coaching approach can accelerate professional growth, enhance practice culture, and expand career opportunities.

Founded by Dr. Melissa Barnett—an optometrist and career coach with over two decades in specialty contact lenses and wellness advocacy—Alpine Blue Coaching offers tailored services for eye care professionals:

Eye care professionals interested in elevating their leadership, enhancing wellness, and mastering communication can learn more at AlpineBlueCoaching.com.