Are you maximizing the opportunities you have? The dramatic changes in healthcare offer pharmacists lots of opportunities. John C. Maxwell in the June 2014 Success writes Opportunity Knocks Will you answer the door…and hold it open for others? Success is a monthly publication that contains a wide variety of practical articles and includes a CD containing interviews with the article authors. Jack Welch is on the cover and has an insightful interview and article. The final page is an Action Plan- Turn Your Knowledge Into Power with 10 Ideas pulled from the articles. Maxwell’s ideas are as follows.
- When thinking about your life/career picture yourself walking through a maze. You are faced with lots of doors (forks in the path) so don’t be afraid to open them even though you know some will be dead ends as if you keep opening doors and moving forward, eventually you will arrive someplace worthwhile such as stimulating challenges and satisfaction.
- The open doors of opportunity are all around you but they won’t do you any good unless you learn to see them and recognize when to walk through them. Think about where the opportunities for us are in Accountable Care Organizations, Medical Homes, Ambulatory Care, transitions of care, etc. Don’t be afraid to use your expertise in new ways without having guarantees that it is the right way-be bold and pave your own way. The keys are;
- Always keep walking/moving as there will never be signs stating that you are nearing your destination. You could be on the verge of your success and not even know it. Perseverance pays off.
- Keep searching by trying new things and watch what works for others. Share your experiences by presenting at professional meetings and publishing,
- Keep clarifying. The most successful people wake up each morning with a clear sense of what they want to achieve because this clarity of purpose makes it easier to identify a good opportunity.
- Keep pressing on as noting worthwhile comes easy. If you want bigger and better things you have to be willing to work for them.
- Keep opening as too many people get through one door and say “Whew” and stop. Remember the advantage of going through the first door is that it leads to a second and thus a dozen more.
- Once you conquer your maze you can turn around and guide others using the following.
- Push people to grow as most people don’t recognize their true potential until someone points it out and then help them tap their strengths.
- Be open to their questions so others can gain from your wisdom and experiences. Good leaders are accessible to their top performers. Your wins and losses can be a gold mind for developing leaders. When you share how you think your people gain valuable insights.
- Give them chances to change. Are your people innovative with new ideas? Give them ownership and allow them to problem solve. When people contribute to meaningful change, they feel pride in the department’s success and responsible for it.
- Provide opportunities for them to win. Momentum is a leader’s best friend
- Don’t just wait for extraordinary opportunities seize common ones and make them great.
Which opportunity are you going to explore this week?
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