Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast

How To Lead Without a Title in Academic Medicine

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Episode: How to Lead When You Are Not the Boss: Academic Medicine Edition

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the powerful concept that leadership begins long before you receive a formal title. She shares practical strategies for early-career physicians to build influence, shape culture, and create meaningful change from any position within academic medicine. Through real-world examples and actionable advice, she demonstrates how every physician—from medical students to junior faculty—can lead effectively in their current role.

No need to take notes, just check out the Blog to get a summary of these insights.

If you are interested in my Academic Physician Kickstarter Course designed to chart your personalized path to promotion for physicians in the first 5 years of practice, please DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach. You can also email me at [email protected]

This course is designed to help you set up your practice, learn finances 101, build a research program, build a national reputation, and prepare a personalized plan for promotion. My mission is to help you envisage your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

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Key Points:
  1. Introduction & The Reality of Leadership in Medicine (0:00 - 2:00)
    • Leadership exists at every level of medical practice
    • Most influential people aren't always those with formal titles
    • Every clinical encounter requires leadership skills - even convincing a child to let you examine their ears
    • Why Leadership Without Title Matters (2:00 - 3:00)
      • Helps you enjoy your job and handle the "messy middle"
      • Allows you to shape culture and show stress management
      • Builds reputation early and improves patient care systems
      • Strategy #1-3: Model Behavior, Fill Gaps, and Teach (3:00 - 4:00)
        • Model the behavior you want to see (like prepping cases early)
        • Identify and fill process gaps in clinics or departments
        • Use micro-teaching moments and mini-debriefs to shift culture
        • Strategy #4-5: Mentoring and Data-Driven Leadership (4:00 - 6:00)
          • Share personal story of adopting a resident class informally
          • Bring data to support changes (like evening coverage analysis)
          • Use service roles strategically, including agenda-setting
          • Strategy #6-7: Speaking Up and Strategic Communication (6:00 - 7:00)
            • Fresh eyes perspective valuable for junior faculty
            • Speak up at the right moments with solutions, not just problems
            • Use your own experience as examples for proposed changes
            • Strategy #8-9: Being a Connector and Championing Collaboration (7:00 - 8:00)
              • Connect residents with faculty across departments
              • Champion interdisciplinary collaborations and joint clinics
              • Create opportunities that benefit multiple parties
              • Strategy #10: Volunteer for Visible Wins (8:00 - 9:00)
                • Lead QI projects, create efficient templates, run wellness initiatives
                • Example of Utah-Colorado coaching exchange program
                • Show leadership through successful, visible projects
                • Action Steps and Final Thoughts (9:00 - 10:00)
                  • Choose one strategy to implement this month
                  • Remember: leadership is about habits that build trust and influence
                  • Influence often comes before the title, not after
                  • Consider coaching for guidance and support

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                      Medical Mentor Coaching PodcastBy Dr. Stacey Ishman