PRESCRIBING CHANGE
Leading with Purpose : Reflections from the Chair of the Policy & Advocacy Committee
I was in a virtual room with 60 of my peers , each bringing their unique perspectives and passions to the table . That would be intimidating enough , but there was the looming shock of the Supreme Court ’ s rejection of Roe v . Wade just a week prior , and the Uvalde , Texas elementary school mass shooting that took 19 children and two adults just a month before . This was the scenario I was facing going into one of my first meetings as Chair of the Policy and Advocacy ( P & A ) Committee for the Greater Louisville Medical Society ( GLMS ).
Leadership in any capacity requires a delicate balance of vision , communication and action . Before the meeting , I contemplated my strategy . Disorganization might result in a lengthy meeting with little productivity . How would we navigate these complex issues with sensitivity and awareness ? How could we foster a collaborative environment where every voice was heard and harness the collective strength of the group to advocate for policies that prioritized Kentucky residents ’ health and safety ?
6 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
by THOMAS S . HIGGINS , JR ., MD , MSPH , MBA
In preparing for this daunting task , I drew upon my past leadership experiences , which had taught me invaluable lessons in guiding diverse groups toward common goals .
Leadership is an Ever-Developing Skill
Heading into my senior year of undergraduate studies , I was elected President of the Student Government Association at Bellarmine College ( now Bellarmine University ). My lofty goal was to elevate the voices of its nearly 4,000 students . I had a platform with distinct goals and a vision .
I quickly realized , though , that differing opinions existed , with some being mutually exclusive , which inevitably led to disappointment for some individuals . Fortunately , I had incredible mentors with whom to discuss these issues and manage conflicts . Although I ’ m sure I made many mistakes , I learned valuable lessons along the way .
Leading people with diverse goals , opinions and passions is challenging . The two leadership tactics I came to rely on were : ( 1 ) listening and ( 2 ) finding common ground . By facilitating others to reach their own conclusions and encouraging compromise , rather