Working in health care, I’ve enjoyed the rare gift of having many female colleagues, including a woman who went before me as the leader of my health system.
Over the years, I’ve seen women succeed and be challenged by the workplace. While I never felt that I represented all women, or was working for a cause, I recognized that I had the ability to lift up others and provide advice that would empower them and help them navigate their careers.
Being brave is not a song or a Disney film. It’s something that comes from within. And unlike any fantastic storybook tale, it’s less dramatic than it sounds. Simply put, it’s about being attentive and open to opportunities that help you discover and hone your skills and talents. It’s about knowing when to grasp those opportunities and claim your seat at the table. It’s about finding your voice and using it courageously. I credit my three older brothers with helping me learn this – if I wanted to play, I had to keep up. I did and earned their respect.
These kinds of opportunities presented themselves numerous times in my career. Several years ago, I was asked to assume the wellness program for my organization. Many people had ideas on how it should be run, but someone needed to get it off the ground and be successful. That someone turned out to be me and I never looked back. I rallied the best people I could find, formulated a vision and kept moving forward. Within less than a year, we were opening innovative centers where communities could access effective lifestyle management programs right where they lived, worked and played. And within two years, we had corporate partners that turned our concept into a nationally recognized effort.
Did I ever doubt myself? In this case, oddly enough I did not. So you might ask, does bravery mean being overconfident and arrogant? No, not at all. Rather, it means pushing the boundaries with prudence. Every time I have had the opportunity to lead innovations I have processed it around something Jim Collins calls little bullets. First, fire bullets to figure out what will work. Test on small scales and find the answer before you fire cannonballs, or big resources, at a project. Secondly, I followed my intuition. I’ve learned how to forge my own path and trust my instincts. I step out when I have enough, not all, of the information, and use my voice to influence the direction of the organization.
Additionally, I try to focus every ounce of my energy on the task at hand. If you do things half-way, you can only expect a half-way decent result. It’s easy to get distracted by naysayers, other projects or even the occasional barriers that may trap you into thinking they’re insurmountable. My advice is to put down the smartphone (the world’s biggest distraction) and focus on the task at hand. Always be fully present.
Remember, too, that the bravest among us rarely succeed alone. Cultivate and recruit people who share your vision. I hire people who don’t want to watch the race; rather, they want to run it. As their leader, I ensure they have resources and the space they need to be successful. Sometimes it takes a bit of bravery to be hands off with your team members, but with a talented group, you inspire them by giving them wings.
One thing that’s important to note is that being brave does not mean being aggressive or pushy. Rather, it means being prophetic. It means being the one who steps out in front and puts all the cards on the table and well as the one who inspires groups and people to keep going. Paint that picture of future state that others don’t see. Lead with humor, humility and hope. As women, we have an extraordinary opportunity to do this with confidence and grace.
Finally, be grateful. Even if you achieve your wildest dreams, stay humble and appreciative of all the gifts that helped you scale the mountaintop. Now, go ahead, be brave. Grab that opportunity, stand up, and be heard.
Annette M. Walker, MHA, is president of strategy, Providence St. Joseph Health, and chief executive, St. Joseph Health.
Annette M. Walker, MHA