Personal Note from Rachel
 As the summer break draws to a close, and the new academic year begins, it is an opportune time to reflect on endings and fresh beginnings. For some, there are larger transitions. Perhaps its the end of playschool or primary school and start of 'big' school. For others its the end of secondary school and start of college, apprenticeships or work. For me, as a parent, one teenager is cycling (and camping) down the Danube, another is starting a new secondary school for the Leaving Cert cycle and the third is entering Junior Cert year. It is an active house, demanding Positive Parenting Practices, modelled by Mum and Dad!
In the context of "The Value of Positive Practice," September offers a valuable opportunity for reflection and intentional action.
Positive practice involves getting clear on our purpose or WHY, setting clear intentions, cultivating a growth mindset, and embracing proactive behaviours that align with our goals. It's about making deliberate choices to enhance our well-being, performance, and the outcomes we aspire to achieve in the final quarter of the year.
As healthcare professionals, educators, students or parents, we can harness the value of positive practice by establishing meaningful objectives, creating more meaningful and impactful personal wellbeing or work routines, and fostering a positive learning environment, at home and at work. It's about embracing a learning culture, both personally and professionally. As leaders, it is up to us to guide our families, patients and team members to do the same.
I look forward to meeting you in person at the IPU National Pharmacy Conference on 21st October, where Jonathon Morrissey and I present on ‘The Value of Having a Positive Pharmacy Practice.’
4Front’s 6Ps of Professional Excellence 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
 Defining Purpose: Remember, purpose is the profound reason behind everything we do, the 'why' that fuels our actions. It's the force that gives our lives and careers meaning, transcending the day-to-day tasks and contributing to something greater.
In the dynamic world of 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.
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, 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 purpose, vision and values. It empowers them to set actionable goals, enhance their emotional intelligence, and improve their leadership skills - all core competencies! If you are considering partnering with a healthcare leadership coach, know that coaching is not a regulated profession, like pharmacy. Therefore it is important that you do your due diligence before selecting your coach. CLICK HERE for 10 Questions to Ask before hiring your Coach, and my answers to those questions.
The Next STEPS: Now, it's your turn to take action. 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.
Upcoming Events
 FIP World Pharmacists Day, on 25th Sept each year, is an opportunity for pharmacy to celebrate its achievements in supporting our societies, but also to advocate pharmacy's value and further potential in improving health. The theme of 2023 is 'Pharmacy: Strengthening Health Systems.' More information is available on FIP’s World Pharmacists Day. As you know, I believe that we cannot strengthen anything from a position of weakness. Therefore, continuously improving our own, our team's and our profession's wellbeing, in a sustainable way is a critical priority. Indeed, 'Pharmacy building a sustainable future for healthcare' is the theme of FIP's World Congress 2023.
It is with synchronous alignment that I had the opportunity to facilitate a series of global townhall style meetings, organised by FIP for community pharmacists in Feb 2023, on the topic of Sustainable Positive Practice in Community Pharmacy, to which several of you contributed. Following this, in Aug 2023, the FIP Community Pharmacy Section conducted a 'Global Survey on Workforce Sustainability and Supporting Positive Practice in Community Pharmacy.' The findings of a 2023 report produced by FIP’s Community Pharmacy Section, including a literature review, a series of town-style meetings and a global survey of pharmacy organisations, will be presented at the FIP World Congress Brisbane Sept 2023 and will shape recommendations and strategies to improve the professional well-being of individual pharmacists.
|
