Alison on the importance of vision
"It is important to have a vision and also have the ability to generate enthusiasm about that vision!
To be passionate about what you believe in, and to have the ability to make that passion infectious.
Having the skills and attributes to gain the followership of others comes from having good communication skills and making decisions which are respected by others. This allows the trust and confidence in that person to build.
Ultimately, one of the greatest characteristics of a leader is to step aside and support/allow / promote the development of those around you."
Alison Armstrong is a nurse consultant (Home Ventilation) in Newcastle.
Abigail on role models
"The most helpful thing in navigating training for me has always been having more supportive senior role models. I have never had any formal mentoring, but have been lucky to work with inspiring female consultants in whom I can see my future self.
Informal mentoring and support has been invaluable to show me what is possible and to give me the confidence to know I can balance and enjoy family life and still have a fulfilling and successful career, the journey might just be a little bit longer."
Dr Abigail MacKintosh is a Specialist Respiratory Registrar and Chair of the BTS Speciality Trainee Advisory Group
Nicola's tips to develop your career
- Network, ask people you admire to be mentors, and join friendly groups.
- Be open-minded about working on projects that might not necessarily be your dream project, but teach you new skills.
- Volunteer (people won't come looking for you, you need to look for them).
- Don’t agree to do things you won't get any benefits out of doing.
- Support other women on the way!
- Apply for things that are out of your comfort zone, even if you don’t get them, you may get feedback.
- Whatever you do, it doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to be good enough, so don’t hold on to things for too long.
- Make yourself known, and you need to promote yourself to be seen. It is not spoken about, but there is a lot of work behind the scenes that people don’t talk about.
- Find a group of mentors that can support and advise you that you can trust.
- For those who want to be more involved in research and policy, here are lots of resources now for writing retreats (and virtual ones as well). But basically, you need to be more hands-on!
- For difficult times, be more aware of appropriate HR policies. Know your rights, call out bad behaviour and get support from colleagues and unions if needed – don’t let things go.
- And finally, make sure you look after yourself. It is not always possible to have a good work-life balance, and at the end of the day, it is only a job and a component of your life – we all need to have a good life.
Nicola Roberts is a professor of respiratory healthcare delivery at the School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University.
Nazia on the need to get know to your colleagues
"Time is always a barrier in the NHS. We’re always running from one task to another, clinic to ward round and don’t even have time for a coffee or lunch. That’s always been my biggest mistake: I haven’t made enough time to sit and have coffee with my resident doctors and colleagues to really get to know them. It's probably my biggest regret as a leader, as I think the best leaders make time to really get to know people.
I think what helps is to be a little ruthless about your timetable – never book meetings in lunch breaks – always have that blanked out as not available so you can spend time with colleagues and doctors in a more informal setting."
Dr Nazia Chaudhuri is a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Respiratory Consultant in Northern Ireland.
