Navigating the Corporate Structure to Get What You Need: Part 3
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Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of The Dermatologist or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.
When They Say “No” to Your Project
Most dermatologists now work in a larger physician practice with multiple lines of approval needed for a new purchase or project. The most unfortunate result may be that a proposal you feel passionate about is rejected by leadership. Ask for detailed feedback and permission to return with a more palatable option. It may be that you have not developed enough “political capital” yet. Propose a smaller project, or a piece of a larger project, and knock it out of the park. When you hit project milestones, make sure to email administration so they know you are making progress. This will develop trust; when you ask for something bigger later, they are more likely to give you the reins. Another way to “grease the wheels” in a large corporation is to develop a reputation for always helping out. When someone asks for a volunteer for a committee or to organize an event, offer your assistance. The relationships you develop when working on these projects will help you get other things done in the future.
Jason Reichenberg, MD | Austin, TX
Leadership and Self-Awareness
During the annual performance reviews with my team, I always ask 2 questions that have a meaningful impact: 1. What can I (Dr Humphrey) do to make you (the team member) better at your job? 2. What can I do to be better at my job? Asking team members for feedback and ideas regarding my leadership and performance demonstrates self-awareness and acknowledges the complex and bidirectional nature of team and management dynamics. Not to mention it gives me valuable feedback from my team for how to be a better leader.
Shannon Humphrey, MD | Vancouver, BC, Canada
Nail Dermoscopy
When performing dermoscopy on nails, it is best to use a gel rather than alcohol between the nail and your scope to get good optics. I used to use ultrasound gel, but lately I have been using hand sanitizer gel because it is easy to find in every exam room. When I take dermoscopic photos on mucosal surfaces, I still use ultrasound gel between the mucosa and the lens covered with plastic wrap. I tried swapping hand sanitizer for ultrasound gel on a vulvar photo once and quickly learned that the alcohol base of hand sanitizer gel is terribly painful for patients. Take-home message: Hand sanitizer gel is a great trick for nail dermoscopy, but never for the mucosa.
Jennifer Stein, MD | New York, NY
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