Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities make for better pharmacy leaders

This got me thinking about an article I wrote back in early 2020. Note the date. I wrote the article and sent it off to a handful of places hoping that someone might take an interest in it and be willing to publish it. 

What is special about that article to me is the call to be ready for opportunity and how improving our leadership skills can help us not just be ready but take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Little did I know that a pandemic was just weeks away. 

And while the pandemic has brought many challenges, it has also brought many opportunities. 

Not quite a year ago, I was having a conversation with my friend Carol, and she made a comment that has stuck with me. She was thinking about the “pandemic after the pandemic.” In other words, what would the next challenge in healthcare be? What would we encounter from large portions of the population that had delayed or avoided care during the pandemic? I am sure you, dear reader, have encountered this “pandemic after the pandemic” in some way, shape or form.

In another conversation with John, a dear friend of mine who is a math teacher near Philadelphia, I learned that many students are struggling with key math concepts and are nowhere near where they should be.

We could go on and on with the various challenges out in the world today. Simply know this, they are out there and there are more coming. I don’t tell you that to discourage you. Quite the contrary, I tell you that to inspire you. There are tons of problems out there. 

And do you know who solves problems?

Leaders!

Leaders like you and me – we solve problems. 

We know some challenge is right around the corner. This challenge will bring with it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” – but only if we are ready for it.

So, let me ask you a personal question: Are you ready for it?

I had the opportunity to address a room of about 100 of our colleagues recently. I asked them if they wanted to be better leaders. Practically every hand in the room went up. I then asked who had a plan to become a better leader. The vast majority of hands came down. 

If you do not have a plan to improve your leadership skills, don't be too hard on yourselves. Understand that few people do. That is normal. Perhaps too normal considering the state of the world.

But if you want to improve your leadership skills, I encourage you to do something about it. Today! Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know that you want to become a better leader. 

Until next time –

Jesse McCullough, PharmD

Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn