Executive Engagement Reflections Behind the scenes :BCT XVIII

Hello all

In the boot camp of my Quality Improvement (QI) journey, a pivotal feedback session with my QI manager became a defining moment. She delved into the nuances of my progress, probing into the depths of my confidence.

The question hung in the air: "How would you feel talking to executives?" I hesitated, admitting a certain consciousness when presenting to top-tier leadership. My QI manager, with a knack for unraveling barriers, probed further. "You've engaged with the CEO and Chief Medical Officer successfully. How did those interactions go?"

In a moment of self-reflection, I acknowledged that I had articulated my ideas clearly in those high-stakes encounters. The revelation set the stage for a breakthrough. "Then who are these executives you are conscious about now?" she questioned, gently nudging me to confront the specter of self-doubt.

As I took a moment to reflect, a realization unfolded—I had navigated the upper echelons of the organizational hierarchy with poise and proficiency. The conscious imposter that lurked in the shadows of my mind began to dissipate. The fear, it seemed, was a false specter, an unfounded anxiety that had found refuge in my thoughts.

My QI manager, armed with insight and empathy, guided me through the mental maze. She dissected the fear, layer by layer, until all that remained was a stark truth—I was more than capable of engaging with executives. The boot camp was not just about refining technical skills; it was a metamorphosis of self-perception.

Armed with this newfound clarity, I faced the challenge head-on. Executives were not an insurmountable mountain but individuals, just like the CEO and Chief Medical Officer I had previously engaged with. The session had not only polished my technical prowess but had also chiseled away the unnecessary layers of self-doubt.

The journey of overcoming the 'conscious' imposter became a testament to the transformative power of reflection and mentorship. In the arena of Quality Improvement, progress isn't merely measured in data points and metrics but in the dismantling of barriers, be they tangible or residing within our own minds.

As the boot camp continued, I carried this lesson with me—confidence isn't a garment to be worn selectively but an inherent strength waiting to be unleashed.

In the grand tapestry of QI, this episode was a thread weaving resilience into the fabric of my professional growth. It wasn't just about honing skills; it was about dismantling barriers, embracing growth, and stepping into the arena with newfound confidence—an arena where executives were not adversaries but collaborators in the pursuit of excellence.

So far so much.