Any interaction with others — for example, speaking with colleagues, meeting friends, or educating patients on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal conditions, [the theme of this issue’s “Practicing Medical Optometry” (PMO)] — provides an opportunity to create a presence.

Developing a leadership presence

In a recent episode of the podcast, “Think Fast Talk Smart,” Matt Abrams, a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, discusses with executive coach Muriel Wilkins how to develop a leadership presence. (See youtube.com/watch?v=0IiX6Q0j0Q4 .) This presence is about demonstrating value, being clear about the message in an authentic way, and connecting with others, notes Ms. Wilkins.

Ms. Wilkins says to establish credibility, start by asking, how do I add value in this particular interaction? “Is it by having a point of view? Is it by listening? Is it by asking questions?” In doing so, she points out, “you demonstrate credibility by bringing something to the table.”

Regarding communication, it’s the ability to speak in a clear, constructive, concise manner. It’s a skill anyone can build but it takes practice, Ms. Wilkins says.

To connect with others, “listening is the biggest skill,” notes Ms. Wilkins. Ms. Wilkins and Mr. Abrams agree that knowing what communication skills to use requires both listening and being present in the moment.

On to the PMO

The following articles can help you to create a presence with patients:

• “Preventing conversion to advanced AMD” (p.20). Here, Dr. Amanda S. Legge points out that patient education, early diagnosis and monitoring are three keys to preventing dry AMD progression.
• “SD-OCT’s role in diagnosing and monitoring geography atrophy” (p.27). Lisa Nijm, MD, JD, and Mary Beth Yackey, OD, discuss this technology’s utility, especially with dawn of geographic atrophy therapies.
• “Empower patients with magnification tools” (p.32). Drs. Bryan Wolynski and Andrea Zimmerman tackle options for low vision.
• “Educate patients on eye-healthy nutrients” (p.38): Dr. Jennifer Wademan discusses the connection between nutrition and retina health. OM