Over the course of my 35+ year career in health IT management, I have led, coached, and mentored many IT professionals. And situationally I’ve mentored my adult daughters – meaning when they ask for
advice. In doing so, I have found analogies with some of my mentees and coachees who are similar ages and at a similar stage in their career.
I am always happy and proud when I see any of them grow and develop, take on new opportunities, and progress in their career. And it’s nice to hear feedback on how I’ve helped on their journey as I continue to work with others.
Now we’re at the “literal” part in this blog post’s title – next generation leaders in my own family. Both my daughters received awards this year from their employers recognizing their contributions and leadership. My oldest daughter, Katie Killinger, MSN, BSN, NP-C, is the Chief NP of Orthopedic/Spine Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital. She received the second annual APP in Excellence Award which recognizes the important contributions Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) make to the hospital. My youngest daughter, Ann Ochiltree, works in the seafood industry and is the Sr. Manager, Executive Communications & Administration at Thai Union North America. She was recognized with the Big 6 Value Award – Innovation. I am very proud of both my daughters and love seeing the examples they are setting for their own young children.
To even mention my daughters here may be considered “parental bragging” as my husband calls it. But I mention them in a broader context of how leaders lead and influence in many different circumstances. Leaders must walk the talk and lead by example in all they do. Leaders are teachers – we teach by what we say and what we don’t say, what we do and what we don’t do.
I was honored to receive the CHIME/HIMSS John E. Gall CIO of the Year Award in 2014. Two of the many criteria for this award at the time were:
- Represents the highest standards of leadership in Health IT
- Is respected and recognized as a role model to peers and the industry
Here’s an excerpt from my “Lead by example” blog post at the time that ties back to my daughters:
I take my leadership responsibility very seriously.
But I have many roles in life – and being a leader is just one of them. One of my most important roles is mother. Someone else can do my job at work but no one can replace me as mother to my two daughters. I have raised two smart, talented, young women who are mothers now themselves. I have tried to be a role model for them in many different ways – including as a professional female leader. My mother and leader roles converged this week when I heard from them after the award was announced. Like parents often do, I had a tear and a laugh!
My daughter in Boston, a nurse practitioner, wrote:
“My mother has always been an inspiration and role model for me but it is so wonderful to see how influential she is to others in her field! She is creating a legacy in healthcare information systems that is essential to the delivery of modern healthcare! So proud of you Mom!”
My daughter in California wrote:
“Mom, You’re always inspirational. I’m watching Celebrity Apprentice right now, and these bimbos are baking pies and begging rich friends for money, and then bickering in front of Trump in cocktail dresses. And I’m so happy that smart women with integrity exist and thrive in business for my daughters and me to look up to. Even better they’re in my family.”
I must admit, I got a laugh again just rereading it.
I’m giving a talk next week as part of the Harvard Clinical Informatics Lecture Series – the focus for this Fall series is on leadership. I will be talking about leading an organization through IT transformation. Many of the core leadership lessons I’ve discussed before will find their way into the talk. I will pull forward from more recent experiences as well and hope that there is some kernel or takeaway that will make a difference for those attending the virtual session.
While I may have decades of experience to draw on in leading and teaching others, I also consider myself a continual learner and learn every day from the generations coming behind me. The book “Wisdom @ Work, The Making of a Modern Elder” by Chip Conley is an excellent resource. As the description says, “The secret to thriving as a midlife worker: learning to marry wisdom and experience with curiosity, a beginner’s mind, and a willingness to evolve, all hallmarks of the “Modern Elder.”
It seems like every day I read about another healthcare leader retiring – another baby boomer stepping aside and letting the next generation take over. In between spending more time with their families and grandkids, finding new hobbies, and nurturing dormant ones, I hope they carve out some time to continue to help develop next generation leaders in whatever form may work for them. I know I will when that day comes.
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