Say What!?

So this week, we are allowed to write about any topic leadership related but it needs to be controversial, and thought provoking!

My question to you is why do successful leaders often fail in government? We are certainly at a critical point in US History to see if Obama can overcome the barriers to effective leadership in government, and and advocate for the changes he wants to make. Robert Reich talked about some of the errors and successes that past Presidents have made, particularly with Health Care Reform attempts, and gave examples all across the spectrum; Johnson was successful in passing Medicare, although his economic advisors tried to dissuade him, because he left the details up to Congress. Clinton on the other hand, made some critical errors; he took too long (allowing big pharma and insurance to form an opposition), and he handed Congress a finished bill with a bow on it leaving them feeling like they didn't contribute.

So how can Obama be a successful leader? How can he make progress with Health Care Reform? Should he lower the bar, and settle for something that is an easier win? Should he be advocating more for the explicit changes he wants? How, in such a bipartisan country, can we be united in change?

This week, I am asking a lot of questions. I can't type this pretending I know the errors of past politicians or solutions to ensure future success. Robert Reich talked about how successful leaders prevent their team from making the Four Fatal Work Avoidance Mechanisms (although I don't think he titled it so dramatically). These work avoidance mechanisms don't take much energy from the opposition and are powerful impediments to progress. Here they are, and corresponding rebuttals:
Denial - you can't just ignore the problem, it exists and is real.
Escapism - it IS your problem, and affects you.
Blame - it is no one else's fault, lets look at the root of the problem.
Cynicism - we CAN do something about it. we CAN make progress.

Are these the holes that political leaders get trapped in? How can leaders, in politics or otherwise, overcome these barriers?

I'll keep you posted if I figure anything out!

Essential Leadership Skills

What do you think are the key skills leaders in public health need in order to be successful, and why?

Public Health Leaders need to have the skills that make all leaders successful; being driven and organized with the ability to unite, motivate and inspire people. Successful leaders show empathy and humility which breeds trust within the group or organization. In addition Public Health Leaders need the knowledge base to know whom to partner with, and which resources to value. Public Health endeavors are becomingly increasingly interdisciplinary, and current leaders need to be in touch with the other disciplines and their perspectives.


What skills are you most interested in developing over the course of the fellows program?

I am interested in developing my ability to establish personal relationships with those I work with and lead. I often prioritize efficiency; however, I understand that people like to feel that they are valued and interpersonal skills are extremely valuable for establishing that rapport.

The Art of Storytelling

by Markell Lewis

"The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again.
The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably.
They don't deceive you with thrills and trick endings.
They don't surprise you with the unforeseen"...

"You know how they end, yet you listen as though you don't.
In the way that although you know that one day you will die, you lives as though won't.
In the Great Stories you know who lives, who dies, who finds love, who doesn't.
And yet you want to know again.
That is their mystery and their magic."
- excerpt from "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

The ability to tell a capitvating story is a powerful tool. It is both a way with words and cadence, as well as with editing. Not telling too much, just enough, leaving the audience guessing, wanting, waiting, and being a part of the story itself.

I've never mastered this, never even really conciously attempted to unfortunately, but the art of storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders. Captivating your audience, drawing them into your cause, plucking a string in their heart. As I move forward on my journey to becoming a Public Health leader, I hope to make a conscious effort to work on my storytelling. How to frame an issue and connect with my team or community. I've always loved telling stories, recounting a funny moment at the store to my friends, and I would like to think of myself as rather adept at engaging the listener. However, I will now think of storytelling as a powerful leadership tool as well.

I was able to be a part of an amazing day and half workshop on digital storytelling, put together for the Public Health Leadership Fellows, and taught by the Center for Digital Storytelling. We all found our stories and our voice, in a circle of trust and affirmation, and these stories came to life as we learned the software and edited our videos. It was truly an amazing experience and would encourage others to learn more about this fascinating and powerful medium. Not only did I get to see my fellow fellows' final products, I was able to be there with them, along their journeys, as their stories grew.

There are many reasons for why I am here today, and sometimes a single memory can illuminate it all. I hope you watch my video below, and get a glimpse into why I am here as a fellow, why I'm interested in Public Health Nutrition, and why I want to change how people eat.