Dear WashU Medicine community,
Building a positive, inclusive culture includes providing opportunities for faculty and staff to grow their leadership and people skills. The ability to communicate effectively, show empathy and engage others, for example, is essential to caring for patients, conducting innovative research, and training the next generation of clinicians, educators and scientists.
Professional development to enhance leadership skills, particularly for faculty in leadership and management positions, also was identified by the WashU Medicine Executive Faculty Task Force on Climate & Culture as an area for improvement. (As a reminder, you can see all the Task Force recommendations to improve our climate and culture and track our progress to implement those recommendations on the Climate & Culture website.)
Enhancing the skills of faculty leaders to encourage behaviors that foster an inclusive culture across WashU Medicine will, in turn, improve the climate for learners, staff and other faculty. With this in mind, a new in-depth, nine-month leadership development program for division directors and section chiefs begins September 10. These leaders play a pivotal role in advancing the careers of faculty, creating a positive environment for learners to excel, and in enhancing the climate and culture across WashU Medicine. We must ensure that they have the leadership and management skills to be effective.
While leaders are crucial to any organization, everyone has opportunities to grow their skills and advance their careers at WashU Medicine. Here are just a few of the upcoming professional development opportunities.
For all learners, faculty and staff
Strategies to Support Success, Inclusion and Belonging
A keynote address by Nancy Spector, MD, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Eric P. Newman Education Center.
More information about the address »
For faculty
Leading for Trust & Psychological Safety
Creating a culture of trust is crucial for effective leadership and team performance. Leaders who establish trust and psychological safety within their teams foster increased engagement, commitment, collaboration, innovation, and overall job satisfaction. Upcoming sessions: Sept. 23, Oct. 18, Nov. 6, Dec. 6.
More information and registration »
Crucial Accountability
Learn to hold anyone accountable, regardless of their power, position, or authority in this highly interactive three-week workshop series. Sept. 25, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9. Attendees must commit to attending all three sessions.
More information and registration »
Lead Your Lab
This two-day workshop focuses on management skills for scientists and is designed for early-career faculty (instructors and assistant professors) who lead research teams. Oct. 15 and 16.
More information and registration »
Additional professional development opportunities for faculty are available on the Faculty Promotions & Career Development website.
For staff
Foundations of Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in our personal and professional relationships. This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices of emotional intelligence, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of its significance in personal and professional development. August 27, in person. More information and registration »
Effective Communication
Effective communication in the workplace is essential for fostering clarity, collaboration, and cohesion among team members, ultimately driving organizational success. In this course, individuals will gain valuable insights and practical tools to become confident and impactful communicators in both personal and professional spheres. August 29, in person.
More information and registration »
Manager as Coach: Coaching Skills for Leaders and Managers to Develop Others for Success
When managers provide guidance and support through coaching, teams are more high-performing, collaborative, and engaged. This course helps develop the coaching skills of managers to foster a climate of communication and collaboration. Aug. 28, in person.
More information and registration »
Additional professional development courses for staff and managers are available on the Human Resources website. We appreciate our community’s commitment to growing their skills as we continue to build and sustain a positive climate at WashU Medicine.
Finally, we know many faculty, students and staff do things every day to create a positive, inclusive climate and culture. If you see a colleague whose actions you admire, we encourage you to recognize them through the Accolade link in the SAFE portal.
Sincerely,
Michael Avidan, MBBCh, Implementation Task Force co-chair
Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor and head of the Department of Anesthesiology
Linda Richards, AO, FAA, FAHMS, PhD, Implementation Task Force co-chair
Edison Professor of Neurobiology and head of the Department of Neuroscience
Renée Shellhaas, MD, MS, Implementation Task Force administrative director
David T. Blasingame Professor of Neurology and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Promotions & Career Development