Episode 30: Leading When You Don’t Have All the Answers

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching for Physicians in Their First 10 Years of Practice, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores one of the most underrated leadership skills in academic medicine: leading through uncertainty. Physicians are trained to know the answers—yet real leadership often requires navigating ambiguity, modeling vulnerability, and creating psychological safety for your team.

Drawing from her own experience building a hospital Utilization Management Group with no blueprint, Dr. Ishman shows listeners how to reframe vulnerability as strength training, cultivate trust, and guide teams even when the path isn’t clear.

No need to take notes—just check out the Blog for a full summary of these insights.

If you’re interested in the Academic Physician Kickstarter Course—designed for physicians in their first five years to set up practice systems, learn finances 101, build a research program, grow a national reputation, and map your personalized promotion pathway—DM @sishmancoach on Instagram or email [email protected] .

Physicians are conditioned to have answers, expertise, and confidence.

Leadership often requires the opposite: navigating situations with no clear roadmap.

Dr. Ishman shares how she stepped into an administrative leader role with minimal prior knowledge.

Instead of pretending, she named what she knew, identified gaps, and asked the right questions.

Being open about what you don’t know builds trust—not doubt.

Expertise culture in medicine makes vulnerability feel risky, but it’s essential for innovation.

“Fail quickly” ≠ failure—it means testing, learning, refining.

Model the practice of identifying when something isn’t working and adjusting early.

Treat uncertainty like reps at the gym—each moment builds the muscle.

Examples across clinical, research, and education settings where transparency accelerates progress.

Acknowledge the gap

Frame the opportunity

Engage the team

Inviting participation sparks creativity, problem-solving, and ownership.

Early leaders often over-control, over-explain, or over-analyze to feel safe.

Start with solid data—but don’t let perfectionism block action.

Silence isn’t danger—it’s space for thinking.

Shift from “I should know this” to “I’m leading us through discovery.”

Leadership is about creating clarity—not certainty.

Psychological safety unlocks stronger teams, better ideas, and true collaboration.

Say: “I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out together.”

You don’t need all the answers to lead effectively—especially in the early years of practice where new roles, new systems, and new responsibilities often come without clear instructions. Dr. Ishman illustrates how vulnerability, curiosity, honesty, and quick pivots create strong, innovative teams. Leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about modeling the courage to explore, refine, and grow—together.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

If you’d like to connect or suggest a topic:

DM on Instagram: @sishmancoach

Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching

Email: [email protected] 

Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman breaks down how early-career physicians can build national visibility and meaningful professional relationships without overwhelm—using a simple, one-hour-a-week framework.

If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to be known for your work and just trying to survive clinic, charting, inboxes, and academic responsibilities, this episode will give you a realistic, sustainable way forward. Dr. Ishman shares her own early-career story of doing “all the right things” but remaining invisible outside her division—and the small weekly habit that changed everything.

No need to take notes—check out the Blog for a written 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 or email me at [email protected] .

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

Join us to kickstart your career.

• Common early-career tension between wanting to be known and trying to keep up
• Inbox overload, EMR tasks, trainee needs, and constant clinical demands
• Clarifying that visibility does not require constant networking or posting

• The importance of scheduling one hour a week like you would clinic or procedures
• Visibility grows from consistency, not intensity

• Dr. Ishman’s personal story: doing all the right things but remaining unnoticed
• Realization that visibility doesn’t happen by accident—connection must be intentional

• Collaborating with colleagues, even informally
• Connecting through notes, emails, texts
• Citing others’ work or amplifying them on social media
• Pitching panels using senior experts while you moderate

A four-week rotation designed to build reputation without burnout:

Week 1 – Connect
• Reach out to someone new or reconnect with a colleague
• Examples: society members, journal editors, national experts
• Tip: keep a running list of people you admire

Week 2 – Share
• Post or share something meaningful: reflection, research summary, shout-out
• Authenticity > perfection

Week 3 – Pitch
• Submit one opportunity: panel, talk, manuscript review, committee, webinar
• Reminder: perfectionism kills momentum

Week 4 – Follow Up
• Re-engage conversations
• Check in, ask about next steps, or reintroduce yourself if needed

• Visibility should feel authentic, not salesy
• Healthy discomfort is okay; inauthenticity is not
• One hour a week becomes 52 hours a year—enough to create real career movement

• Speaking invitations
• Cross-department collaborations
• Visiting professorships
• Professional society leadership roles
• Promotion committee recognition

• Stack visibility hour onto an existing routine (after clinic, before research meeting)
• Document your plan
• Track actions and celebrate small wins
• Consistency beats perfection

Visibility in academic medicine doesn’t require hustle—it requires intentionality. With just one protected hour a week, early-career physicians can expand their network, amplify their work, and open doors to national recognition. Through Dr. Ishman’s four-week rotation—Connect, Share, Pitch, and Follow Up—you’ll learn how to build genuine relationships, create opportunities, and grow your academic presence in a way that feels sustainable and authentic.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

If you’d like to get in touch or suggest a topic:
● DM me on Instagram: @sishmancoach
● Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching 
● Email me: [email protected] 
● Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Episode 28: Finding Joy Again in Academic Medicine Through a Career Pivot

In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman shares her personal journey of rediscovering joy and purpose in academic medicine through a career pivot. After stepping away from clinical practice for 18 months to lead a utilization management program, she returned with a broader perspective — one that blended systems-level leadership with her love for mentoring trainees.

This episode explores how early- and mid-career physicians can realign their professional lives without leaving academic medicine entirely. Dr. Ishman breaks down practical strategies for small and large pivots that create renewed energy, focus, and fulfillment — and why departments that invest in coaching see measurable benefits in retention, promotion, and culture.

No need to take notes — the full blog summary is available on the Medical Mentor Coaching site.

If you’re a physician in your first 10 years of practice and ready to design your ideal academic career, join the Faculty Excellence & Retention Initiative (FERI) or reach out directly to learn more.
📩 Email: [email protected] 
📱 Instagram: @sishmancoach
🌐 Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome 

1. Introduction & Stacey’s Pivot Story (00:00–02:00)

Dr. Ishman shares her 18-month shift from clinical care to utilization management.

The experience provided new leadership skills and a broader systems view of medicine.

What she missed most: mentoring and coaching trainees — the work that truly fueled her.

2. Recognizing Faculty Strain (02:00–03:00)

Common struggles: packed clinical schedules, administrative overload, unclear promotion paths.

Many physicians feel stretched thin between professional and personal responsibilities.

The insight: You don’t need to leave academic medicine to rediscover purpose.

3. Small Shifts with Big Impact (03:00–04:00)

Case examples of faculty who made minor adjustments:

Restructuring clinic templates to allow research time.

Blocking “mentor hours” weekly to engage with trainees.

Negotiating administrative support for scholarship.

These micro-pivots restore alignment between values and daily work.

4. Larger Career Pivots (04:00–05:30)

Examples include:

Surgeons stepping into education leadership roles.

Researchers moving into clinical outcomes or policy work.

Clinicians leading hospital quality initiatives.

Each shift reconnected physicians with their purpose while advancing their impact.

5. Department-Level Benefits (05:30–07:00)

Coaching improves retention, culture, and productivity.

Physician turnover costs 2–3× annual salary — often $500K or more.

Departments that support coaching see greater visibility and promotion rates.

Faculty joy translates to departmental stability and stronger national reputation.

6. The Joy-Alignment Connection (07:00–08:00)

Joy in work is directly linked to promotion readiness and visibility.

Enthusiasm and clarity make faculty more likely to be invited to speak and lead.

Clear storytelling — connecting “this led to that” — strengthens academic advancement.

7. Call to Action: Faculty Coaching and FERI (08:00–09:00)

Coaching reduces burnout and builds momentum for promotion and retention.

The Faculty Excellence & Retention Initiative helps departments:

Clarify faculty vision and align goals.

Build achievable promotion pathways.

Strengthen culture and collaboration.

“When departments invest in coaching, everyone rises together.”

Summary:
Finding joy in academic medicine doesn’t always mean leaving — it often means realigning. Whether it’s one protected hour for mentoring or a department-wide coaching initiative, small shifts toward alignment create massive changes in fulfillment and impact.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

Connect with Dr. Stacey Ishman:

Instagram: @sishmancoach

LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Episode 27: From Perfectionist to Pro — The 80% Rule Revealed!

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores one of the biggest mindset shifts for early-career physicians: moving from perfectionism to progress. She introduces the “80% Rule,” a practical framework that helps you escape the trap of over-editing, over-preparing, and overthinking — and start building momentum in your career.

Dr. Ishman shares how striving for perfection often slows growth, limits visibility, and drains energy. Instead, she offers strategies for applying the 80% Rule to writing, research, presentations, and academic collaborations — so you can produce excellent work efficiently and sustainably.

No need to take notes — the Blog has a full summary of these insights.

If you’re interested in my Academic Physician Kickstarter Course — designed to chart your personalized path to promotion for physicians in their first 5 years of practice — please DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email me at [email protected].

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

Join us to kickstart your career.

Perfectionism may feel like dedication, but it’s often disguised procrastination. The 80% Rule empowers you to act sooner, publish more, and grow faster by valuing momentum over polish. Dr. Ishman reminds us that excellence isn’t about flawlessness — it’s about consistent, visible, and meaningful work that moves your career forward.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app — Apple or Spotify!

If you’d like to connect or suggest topics:

Episode 26: The Invisible Work That Builds National Visibility

In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the often-overlooked “invisible work” that builds national visibility for physicians. From quiet acts of professionalism to behind-the-scenes committee work, she shares how consistent follow-through, authentic relationships, and strategic visibility can shape your academic career — even when it feels like no one is watching.

If you’ve ever wondered why you aren’t being asked to serve on a national panel or guideline committee despite showing up, publishing, and doing the work, this episode will help you see your efforts in a new light — and give you practical strategies to make them count.

No need to take notes — you can read the full summary on the blog.

If you’re interested in my Academic Physician Kickstarter Course, designed for physicians in their first five years of practice, please DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email [email protected] .

This course helps you set up your practice, understand finances, build a research program, grow a national reputation, and chart your personalized path to promotion.

Join us to design your version of success.

1. Introduction (0:00 – 1:10)
Dr. Ishman introduces the concept of “invisible work” — the tasks and efforts that don’t always show up in your CV or promotion packet but are foundational to career visibility and advancement.

2. What Is Invisible Work? (1:10 – 2:30)
Invisible work isn’t busywork — it’s the quiet, relationship-building actions that make you memorable: following up after meetings, engaging with colleagues’ research, and showing genuine professional interest.

3. How Invisible Work Builds Visibility (2:30 – 4:10)
These small acts — like tagging others’ work on social media or sharing feedback after a conference — can make you visible to leadership and open doors for future collaborations.

4. The Power of Committees and Work Groups (4:10 – 5:30)
Serving on work groups or committees can feel low-profile but offers valuable opportunities to connect, contribute, and build a reputation as someone who follows through. Reliability and consistency stand out more than titles.

5. Volunteering Without a Title (5:30 – 6:30)
Dr. Ishman shares how early-career volunteering led to leadership opportunities — from drafting a policy statement to eventually serving on the Board of Governors and later the Executive Committee of her specialty academy.

6. Peer Review, Mentorship, and Guideline Work (6:30 – 7:30)
These are high-impact forms of invisible work that help establish expertise and credibility. They may not be public-facing immediately, but leaders and editors notice who delivers quality work consistently.

7. Making the Invisible Visible (7:30 – 8:45)
Don’t assume mentors know your goals. Ask for sponsorship — directly and confidently. Often, people are willing to promote you but don’t realize you want the opportunity.

8. Turning Invisible Work into Career Momentum (8:45 – 10:10)
Attend committee meetings, even as an observer. Introduce yourself, volunteer for specific tasks, and follow up. Visibility comes from showing up, contributing, and letting others see your reliability.

9. Taking Strategic Next Steps (10:10 – 11:10)
Pick one action this week — follow up with a contact, volunteer for a committee, or ask a mentor for sponsorship. Keep a record of your invisible work to make it count during promotion and review.

10. Final Reflection (11:10 – End)
The invisible work you do today becomes the visible foundation for your promotion, reputation, and ability to mentor others. Strategic visibility starts with intentional contribution.

In The Invisible Work That Builds National Visibility, Dr. Ishman reframes what career advancement looks like for physicians. Visibility isn’t built overnight or through high-profile titles alone — it’s earned through consistent, meaningful engagement and follow-through. By saying yes strategically, tracking your behind-the-scenes contributions, and asking for sponsorship when needed, you can transform quiet effort into recognized leadership.

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

For topic suggestions or to connect:

💬 DM on Instagram: @sishmancoach 

💼 Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching 

📧 Email: [email protected] 

🌐 Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome 

Episode 25: How Mentorship Changes Everything – Two Conversations That Shaped Careers

In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores how mentorship can transform the trajectory of an early-career physician. Through two powerful mentorship stories—her own and that of a colleague—she illustrates how clarity of focus, alignment with passion, and the right guidance can turn scattered efforts into a compelling career narrative.

Dr. Ishman also shares practical advice on identifying your “one word,” building collaborations that still support your niche, and how to evaluate whether your CV reflects the story you want promotion committees to see.

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 or 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 envision your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

Join us to shape your career story.

1. Introduction & Why Story Matters (0:00 – 2:34)

The challenge of saying yes to everything early in academic medicine

Why a clear narrative is essential for recognition and promotion

2. Scattered Beginnings & The Power of One Word (2:34 – 4:55)

Dr. Ishman’s early publications across varied topics

Mentor David Brown’s advice: choose one word (her word was sleep)

How consistently linking her work to “sleep” clarified her academic identity

3. Aligning Collaboration With Focus (4:55 – 6:01)

How to collaborate broadly while still reinforcing your niche

Examples of adding “sleep” into multidisciplinary projects

4. Mentorship Story #2 – Turning Passion Into Academic Focus (6:01 – 8:18)

A colleague’s love of coding and policy

How he turned nontraditional interests into academic leadership and national roles

Passion as a driver for recognition and career satisfaction

5. Recognition Through Alignment (8:18 – 9:43)

The importance of matching your CV and PubMed record to your actual goals

How alignment opens doors to panels, guidelines, and leadership roles

6. Paying It Forward – Mentoring Junior Faculty (9:43 – 11:24)

Story of a junior colleague excelling in sleep apnea panels

Guiding her to pivot toward her true niche in pediatric ear disease

How mentors can redirect talent toward lasting impact

7. Final Takeaways (11:24 – 12:41)

Success comes from consistency, not volume of work

Audit your CV and PubMed—do they tell the story you want?

Share your goals with peers, mentors, and sponsors

Coaching can help individuals and departments align career narratives

Mentorship can change everything—by helping you clarify your focus, align your work with your passions, and tell a clear story that others can recognize. Whether it’s choosing your “one word,” reshaping your collaborations, or auditing your CV for alignment, these mentorship conversations reveal how strategic guidance transforms careers. For physicians in their first 10 years of practice, the key lesson is clear: success is not about doing more, but about doing the right things consistently.

Please RATE, REVIEW and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify!

If you’d like to connect, you can:

DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach

Message me on LinkedIn 

Email me at [email protected] 

Visit the website: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

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.

Join us to kickstart your career.

Please RATE, REVIEW and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (well Apple and Spotify since that is where we are right now!)

If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please:

Episode: Unlocking the Secret to Effective Feedback

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the art of giving effective feedback in academic medicine. She discusses common pitfalls in feedback delivery and introduces a powerful framework that focuses on the "ideal version" of a role rather than past shortcomings. Through personal examples and practical scripts, she demonstrates how to transform feedback conversations from defensive encounters into collaborative problem-solving sessions.

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 envision your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

Join us to kickstart your career.

Dr. Ishman transforms how we think about feedback by shifting from a deficit-focused approach to an aspirational one. Her "ideal version" framework helps medical professionals deliver feedback that motivates rather than demoralizes, creating collaborative relationships that drive actual improvement. This episode is essential listening for anyone who regularly provides feedback in medical settings.

Please RATE, REVIEW and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (well Apple and Spotify since that is where we are right now!)

If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please: ● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach OR ● Message me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching OR ● Email me at [email protected] OR ● Contact me at the website at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Episode 22: How to Be Selected to Speak at a Meeting When They Don't Know Who You Are YET

In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman tackles one of the biggest challenges facing early-career physicians: getting selected to speak at conferences when you're still building your reputation. She addresses the classic catch-22 of needing exposure to build credibility while needing credibility to get exposure, offering five strategic approaches to break through this barrier.

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 envision your ideal career and create a path to your version of success.

Join us to kickstart your career.

Key Points:

🎓 Ready to build your academic career with less chaos and more clarity?
Get in touch for a free checklist on optimizing your time and building your national reputation:

If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please:

● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach 

● Message me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching 

● Email me at [email protected] 

● Contact me at the website at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the podcast on Apple or Spotify—or subscribe on YouTube.
Your future self will thank you. 💬

SHOW NOTES

Episode 21: Your Calendar Is Your Most Powerful Academic Tool

In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman shares why your calendar is more than just a scheduling tool—it's your greatest asset for achieving academic success and avoiding burnout in the first 10 years of practice. She offers a practical, honest look at how early-career physicians can take back control of their time, align their schedules with their values, and protect the academic blocks that fuel career advancement.

No need to take notes—just check out the blog for a summary of these insights.

🎯 If you’re in your first 5 years of practice and want help mapping out your promotion path, DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email me at [email protected].

Key Points:

1. The Illusion of Control (00:44–3:10)

How Dr. Ishman’s early calendar filled up with other people’s priorities

Realizing that a full schedule ≠ intentional schedule

2. The Wake-Up Call (3:11–5:48)

A mentor helped her see the misalignment between time and goals

Recent example: spending too much time on real estate, not coaching

3. Anchoring with What You Can’t Control (5:49–7:58)

Use fixed obligations (clinic, OR time) as anchors

Research shows more time control = less burnout, more productivity

4. Protecting Your Best Brain Time (7:59–10:44)

Schedule high-cognition work during your peak hours

Pro tip: reverse-engineer optional meetings from end of day

5. Making Time for Academic Work (10:45–12:52)

Schedule large blocks (ideally half-days) for writing and research

Take 30 minutes weekly (e.g., Sundays) to plan ahead

6. EMR Time Drain & Documentation Hacks (12:53–17:23)

Data shows physicians spend 1–2 hours after work on notes

Document in real-time to avoid “recall tax”

Use smart phrases, templates, and aim for clarity—not perfection

7. Real-Time Charting with Patients (17:24–19:40)

Narrate your note-writing and plan aloud with patients present

This boosts communication and reduces after-hours work

8. Boundaries = Academic Survival (19:41–23:06)

Guard academic time fiercely—don’t fill it with random meetings

Faculty who protect 4+ hours/week are more likely to get grants/promoted

Avoid context switching; it kills productivity by 40%

9. Accountability Is a Secret Weapon (23:07–26:15)

Share your “ideal week” with admin staff and mentors

Train your scheduler to protect your academic blocks too

10. Take-Home Wisdom (26:16–end)

Schedule the work that gets you promoted

Finish notes during the workday

Set boundaries early—and ask others to help you keep them

🎓 Ready to build your academic career with less chaos and more clarity?
Get in touch for a free checklist on optimizing your time and building your national reputation:

DM on Instagram: @sishmancoach

Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching

Email: [email protected]

Website: medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the podcast on Apple or Spotify—or subscribe on YouTube.
Your future self will thank you. 💬