Personal Note from Rachel

Friday March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD), and March 10th is Mother's Day so guess the theme of this week's newsletter?  

Here are some questions to ponder this International Women's Day (whatever gender you identify as):

1. What do International Women's Day and Mother's Day mean for you personally?
2. What challenges have you and women in your life faced? What are you still overcoming?
3. What does International Women's Day and Mother's Day make you think of or remind you about?
4. How will you use this year's International Women's Day to shift how you relate to - women generally? - women in your personal life? - women colleagues and co-workers? - women patients? - women leaders?  - diversity among women?  such as diverse cultural background, diverse faith traditions, diverse skin tones, diverse accents, diverse health status, diverse martial status, diverse status as parents, diverse age, diverse political & social agendas, diverse sexual orientation e.g. LGBT women, neurodiverse women, diverse literacy, health literacy and fluency in YOUR native language etc.
5. What do you do when you notice gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping? 
6. Did you know the United Nations theme for International Women's Day in 2024 is #InvestInWomen.  Achieving gender equality and women's wellbeing in ALL aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet.

7. Have you heard of The 30% Club, whose mission is to achieve at least 30% representation of women in board seats and executive leadership among all listed companies.  Are you aware of the latest research in your country regarding Gender Gaps in the Workforce and Women in the Boardroom?  If you are curious, check out your guess by clicking the links!

For those of us living in Ireland, remember your vote is your voice. 

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit 'Democracy Index', less than half the world's population lives in a democracy of some sort and only 6.4% of people live in a 'full democracy.'

The opportunity to vote is a privilege that is easy to take for granted in a country like Ireland.... but remember, it is only 100 years since women suffragettes finally earned the right and response-ability to vote. Remember, this opportunity is still unavailable to billions of humans today. 

So, whatever your thinking, I encourage those of you who are eligible, to be proactive!  Cast your VOTE today (8th March) on the two referendums regarding possible changes to the Irish Constitution.  CLICK HERE for information provided by the Electoral Commission. 

Purposeful Leadership | 'Lead With Coaching' Live Training | Emerging Learnings (& Opportunities)

We are in the midst of delivering our inaugural, sold-out, 5-Day 'Lead With Coaching' Programme.  Given the enthusiasm emerging, we're excited to share more about your opportunities to get involved in our next cohorts.

I wanted to bring attention to a crucial aspect: the pressing need for cultivating diversity, resilience and well-being, especially in primary care and community healthcare leadership roles like yours. As leaders in these fields, you're confronted daily with the challenges of ensuring quality care while navigating intense work environments and managing competing professional, business and patient-care priorities. It's no surprise that burnout rates among healthcare professionals remain alarmingly high, with recent studies showing that  Physician burnout undermines safe healthcare | The BMJ and over a quarter (27%) of pharmacists indicated a likelihood of leaving the profession, with 93% of community pharmacists reporting job stress as a common feature of their role.  Workforce Intelligence Report (thepsi.ie)

Amidst these challenges, the power of coaching skills becomes even more evident. By integrating coaching into your organisation's leadership approach, you not only enhance team performance but also foster a culture of support and growth, crucial for combating burnout and promoting well-being. Our live training environment, which brings together leaders from diverse backgrounds including healthcare, childcare, senior care, construction and logistics, ensures a rich learning experience, with opportunities to learn with leaders across industries.

Why Enrol?

• Boost Leadership Effectiveness: Develop practical coaching skills to empower your organisation's leaders and managers to inspire their team members, crucial for driving higher engagement, productivity, and performance. Healthcare is not the only sector experiencing engagement and retention challenges.  According to 2024_LinkedIn-Workplace-Learning-Report-2024.pdf, published 7 Mar 2024, 90% of organisations are concerned about employee retention and providing learning opportunities is the No. 1 retention strategy.
  
  

• Cultivate Resilience: Learn to navigate the complexities of healthcare leadership with grace and efficacy, fostering a supportive environment where individuals thrive.  Developing resilient organisations to face big challenges, requires a participatory, collaborative leadership approach.  “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”  African Proverb
  
  

• Stay Ahead of the Curve: In today's world, adaptive leadership and coaching skills are indispensable for driving innovation and sustainable growth.   For example, to meet the demands and opportunities of the AI era, additional human skills (coaching skills) such as self-leadership, inter-personal skills, problem-solving skills and people leadership & management skills are vital to attract, retain and grow the people you need to innovate and sustainably grow your professional service offering. 

Why Coaching Skills for Healthcare Leaders?

• According to the 2023 Gallup Workplace Report, teams led by managers with strong coaching skills are 67% more likely to be highly engaged.

• Coaching is a proven strategy for increasing employee retention rates within healthcare organisations, directly impacting patient care quality and reducing stress on leaders and teams.

• Leaders equipped with coaching skills are better prepared to address the unique challenges facing healthcare, from improving patient outcomes to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Why Act Now?

• The demand for effective healthcare leadership has never been higher, with significant implications for both staff well-being and patient care quality.

• Empowering our leaders, managers and supervisors, with the coaching skills they need to navigate enormous complexity is absolutely critical, with 70% of employees citing their manager as THE MOST critical factor influencing their engagement and satisfaction at work. (2023 Gallup Workplace Report)

• With Rachel Dungan 'The Pharmacist Coach' as Director of Education, and James Martin as Lead Trainer, our "Lead With Coaching" programme provides a wealth of strategies and tools to address the specific challenges faced by healthcare leaders, ensuring tangible results for both individuals and organisations.

Don't miss this opportunity to join the waitlist for our next "Lead With Coaching" training programme. Your participation not only benefits your own growth but also contributes to the collective well-being and safety of your patients, team and organisation.

In order to meet the challenges of tomorrow, we cannot meet the challenge alone.  The purpose of 'Lead with Coaching' is to constantly co-create greater beneficial value with and for all their stakeholders.   'What we need is not a team of leaders, but a leadership team'.  (Peter Hawkins)  It starts with YOU, in partnership and collaboration with your team. 

Interested?

Secure your spot on the waitlist now by replying to this email or clicking this link: Wait List Signup  You will be given first refusal for our May/June and September intake dates.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our team is dedicated to supporting you on your leadership journey in healthcare and beyond. Lead With Coaching (see PDF)

4Front’s 6Ps of Positive Practice focus on Mastering Six Inter-Connecting Factors – Purpose, Personal, Professional, People, Products & Services and Prosperity.

This Month's Focus: Reconnecting with Purpose: How Healthcare Leadership Coaching Empowers Positive Change

Title: Reconnecting with Purpose: How Healthcare Leadership Coaching Empowers Positive Change

Introduction: In healthcare, leaders are faced with challenges that demand more than just clinical expertise. They must inspire teams, drive change, and navigate complex systems, all while staying true to the core values that define their purpose. It's a tough balancing act, and the secret weapon to master it lies in harnessing the power of purpose. Healthcare leadership coaching can be the catalyst for this transformation.

The Power of Purpose in Healthcare Leadership: Purpose isn't just a buzzword; it's the driving force that motivates healthcare leaders to excel. It's what makes leaders stand out, attract top talent, and foster a culture of excellence. Leaders who are deeply connected to their purpose have a magnetic effect on their teams, drawing in engaged, high-performing staff who share their vision.  Remember, 'It is the purpose that creates the team, rather than the team that creates the purpose' Peter Hawkins. 

The Science Behind Purpose-Driven Leadership: Research consistently shows that leaders who operate from a sense of purpose are more effective in motivating their teams and driving results. Purpose-driven leaders tend to exhibit higher emotional intelligence, greater adaptability, and stronger communication skills. These qualities are essential in healthcare, where patient outcomes depend on effective leadership.

Positive Pharmacy Practice and Purpose: In the pharmacy realm, purpose-driven leadership translates into positive pharmacy practice. When leaders and teams are aligned with the pharmacy's purpose, they create a work environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and included. This sense of purpose-driven unity leads to improved patient care, higher staff retention rates, and tangible results in patient outcomes.

The Role of Healthcare Leadership Coaching: Healthcare leadership coaching, especially in the capable hands of highly trained, experienced and credentialed coaches with healthcare knowledge and expertise, serves as a guiding light for leaders looking to reconnect with their purpose. Coaching provides a structured approach to self-discovery, helping leaders clarify their vision and values. It empowers them to set actionable goals, enhance their emotional intelligence, and improve their leadership skills.

The Next STEPS: Now, it's your turn to take action.

Pharmacist Coach Academy Enrollment is NOW open for April start date.  Click here to discover more about 4Front's ABCDE™ Pharmacist Coach Academy | Bespoke 1-2-1 Coaching for Experienced, New and Aspiring Supervising & Superintendent Pharmacists. 

• Invest 10 minutes in yourself and your leadership journey by completing "4Front’s 6Ps of Professional Excellence Self-Assessment for Healthcare Managers and Leaders." This self-assessment tool is your compass for exploring where you currently stand in your pursuit of purpose-driven leadership.
  
  

• Once you've completed the self-assessment, schedule a complimentary 121 Next STEPS call with me. During this call, you'll review your results, delve into coaching options, and craft a personalised plan to reignite your purpose, attract engaged staff, and achieve tangible results in your healthcare leadership role.  This call isn’t just a conversation.  It has the potential to change your life.

Don't wait; your purpose-driven leadership journey begins here. Schedule your call with Rachel Dungan today and take the first step toward transformative change in healthcare leadership.

Purposeful Pharmacy Opportunities

Irish Institute Of Pharmacy (IIOP) Mentoring for Pharmacists, by Pharmacists

 The IIOP 'Mentoring for Pharmacists, by Pharmacists' programme has been offering mentoring training and partnership opportunities for pharmacists as both mentors and mentees since 2021.  I have been privileged to participate with a diverse variety of inspiring pharmacists as mentor/mentee partnerships.   If you are a pharmacist who is committed to proactively progress in your own learning and growth in partnership with a colleague, learn and explore new learning opportunities and contribute to our profession as mentor or mentee, I highly encourage you to submit your Expression of Interest to the IIOP as they emerge.  How Can I Get Involved? | IIoP Portal

IIOP Leadership Pilot Programme In partnership with Leading Ireland’s Future Together (LIFT) | IIoP Portal

 The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) identified a need for greater leadership within the Irish pharmacy profession.  In response, the IIOP aims to enhance leadership skills and career pathways for pharmacists.  Expressions of Interest to participate as a facilitator in a pilot programme in partnership with LIFT (Leading Ireland’s Future Together) are open until close of business today 8th March 2024, with a face-to-face facilitator training event in Dublin planned for Wed April 10th.  Previous involvement with the IIOP is not required, but proactive support for peers within the profession is advantageous. This initiative aims to foster positive leadership and enhance the pharmacy profession in Ireland.  

IPU National Pharmacy Conference 2024

The IPU National Conference will take place on Saturday, 27 April in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.  I was privileged to attend and co-present one of the events at the 2023 National Conference.  I look forward to meeting you at the Conference if you are planning to attend next month. I am particularly looking forward to

• the Chair of the Expert Task Force, Dr Pat O'Mahoney talk about 'Empowering Community Pharmacy to Maximise Patient Care'
• hearing Dr Laura Sahm and Dr Michelle O'Driscoll share their findings around Health Literacy and the Role of the Pharmacist, especially as I have had the privilege of participating in this programme this spring.
• Brent Pope's take on 'Building Resilience in the Workplace'

Having reviewed the agenda of the IPU National Pharmacy Conference 2024 I'm curious to learn which sessions most interest you and why? 

Purposeful Leadership Coaching Opportunities

25@25 Leadership Programme for Young Leaders - Ulster University

Ulster University, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, have created a pivotal programme to grow leadership capacity and build a long-lasting network of change-makers within Northern Ireland, with a firm focus on the next twenty-five years ahead.  Having grown up in a pre-Belfast Agreement Ireland, and as a firm believer in the power of collaboration and finding common ground, especially with people who hold different perspectives from us, as soon as I heard the tagline of 25@25, I immediately volunteered to contribute to ICFIreland's partners with the 25@25 programme as a coach to a programme participant. It has been my honour and privilege to partner with my ICF Ireland colleagues and with my Coachee on their leadership journey.  

For me, the 25@25 tagline of 'We inherit our history. We choose our future.' resonates strongly with the coaching style of leadership.  It is a leadership style that acknowledges our shared past AND envisions and co-creates a better future, in partnership with those impacted and for whom for whom we leave our legacy. 

Purposeful Women's Leadership Development

If you are interested in the work of Coaching.com Foundation (coachingfoundation.org) you can click the link to find out more.  

Your CPD Focus: Respiratory Health | The Pharmacist's Role

Respiration is fundamental aspect of life on this planet.  As humans, breathing is the first thing we do when we are born.  We continue to exchange water, oxygen and carbon dioxide with our atmosphere, an average of 23,000 breaths per day, until the last breath we take when our 'life force' leaves our body.  In partnership with Pharmabuddy, Rachel Dungan MPSI MCC of 4Front Pharmacy solutions presented a practical 90min CPD Session on 'Respiratory Health | The Pharmacist's Role.'  We covered a variety of respiratory health topics, including

• how physiological and cellular respiration impacts energy, focus and fatigue,
• a SIMPLE model to structure effective respiratory health consultations (including and beyond pharmacological interventions),
• evidence-based breathwork techniques to address respiratory imbalances and restore energy & focus,
• how respiratory health impacts other aspects of health, including nervous system health and cardiovascular health.

Upcoming Opportunities for Leaders, Managers and Supervisors (Time-Sensitive and Cohort Based)

Coaching: 4Front's ABCDE™ Pharmacist Coach Academy | Bespoke 1-2-1 Coaching for Experienced, New and Aspiring Supervising & Superintendent Pharmacists (See PDF)

'Lead With Coaching' Training: Lead With Coaching (see PDF) | For Leaders, Managers and Supervisors to develop the Coaching Leadership Style | Wait List Signup  You will be given first refusal for our May/June and September intake dates.