Behind the wheel, big skies create room for big ideas

During a breakfast at a recent optometry meeting, I struck up a conversation with some of our vendor colleagues, spending some time with a gentleman I had known for several years. As we talked about families, career changes, and life, I shared that I had gone back to school to get a master’s in leadership.

Our common interest in the topic of leadership led to a rather animated discussion. Out of that conversation came a recommendation to read Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brené Brown. I’m always curious when someone recommends a book, so recently, when I had some significant windshield time, I listened to the book on Audible. There I was, in my car, reflecting on all these powerful thoughts. I’ve been mulling over the book’s concepts for several days now.

THE CONCEPT OF BEING VULNERABLE

Ms. Brown is a research professor who has done significant research on vulnerability, shame, and courage. I was unfamiliar with her, but have since learned her presentation on the “Power of Vulnerability” is one of the most-viewed TED Talks. (See ted.com/talks .)

In her book, Ms. Brown shares the concept of being vulnerable with others. We may think of being vulnerable as a sign of weakness. However, she argues that it takes great courage to be vulnerable. Furthermore, she contends being vulnerable is a significant trait that is necessary for new careers, big ideas, meetings, and relationships. Vulnerability may be something that makes many of us uncomfortable, but as I listened to the book, I kept thinking about its similarity to authentic leadership.

Authentic leadership is a growing field in academic research. In a nutshell, being an authentic leader speaks to your sense of ethics and transparency. It’s about being open and honest while asking questions needed to reach a decision. Authentic leadership is something we do every single day in our exam rooms. We listen. We ask questions. We respond. We reach decisions. We treat a chief complaint. And most of us will admit when we genuinely don’t know an answer.

ESSENTIAL FOR THE DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

Authentic leadership, a type of vulnerability, is necessary for creating that doctor/patient relationship to truly take care of another human being and build that patient rapport and loyalty. When I’ve said, “I don’t know, but I’ll find someone who does,” to a patient, those words have created a better sense of trust. I’ve become that patient’s advocate. If you think of your relationships with your doctor, I would be willing to challenge that a sense of authenticity and being listened to is one of the greatest assets in your physician/patient relationship. So, too, it is with our patients.

So, there I was, driving across the prairie of North Dakota while thinking all these big thoughts about being vulnerable in my relationships, career, patients, and columns with my colleagues. As I contemplated writing a monthly column for Optometric Management on leadership, this book kept ruminating on the concepts I could use in upcoming writings. I liken it to big skies creating room for big ideas. And perhaps some thoughts specifically about leading greatly. OM

DR. CARLSON was the first woman to serve as president of the American Optometric Association. Most recently, she was a 2019 recipient of Women of Optometry’s Theia Award for Leadership. In addition to her optometric leadership, Dr. Carlson is a 2020 graduate from the University of Jamestown, with a Master of Arts in Leadership, as well as a John Maxwell certified speaker and trainer.