Author: Dr Robert James Fleming, Specialist (SAS) Anaesthetist, Sherwood Forest Hospitals; Clinical Associate Professor and Lead for Admissions, Lincoln Medical School

I’ve been involved in national representation for SAS doctors in one manner or another almost continuously for ten years, with some associated overlapping leadership roles.

For several years, I was a board member at the Association of Anaesthetists. I was also chair of its SAS committee for a time, as well as chairing or being part of other committees before and since. More recently, I’ve become a clinical associate professor and lead for admissions for a new medical school. I do like to make myself busy!

Being asked to write this article has given me a welcome opportunity to reflect on my career to date, and whether I’ve learned anything by doing these things. I think I probably have, but I’ll let you decide for yourself. As with every article I’ve written for the Bulletin, these are just my thoughts and should therefore be taken with a large pinch of salt. I don’t consider myself a leadership expert, and I don’t always follow my own advice.

I would split the things I’ve learned from my journey into four related lessons, which I will come to in turn.

Lesson 1: Put yourself forward

Every journey starts with a first step. While many of us grumble about the things we wish we could change, few ever seek a meaningful opportunity to change them. Getting involved in representation, for your professional group or within a professional interest, will take you to places you can’t even imagine. Doing these things provides opportunities to make a difference in something you care about as well as for your own career. Take a step, then take another, and see where it leads you.

Always keep your eye out for the next opportunity, and follow your own path to wherever you want to go. If it feels like there are barriers in your way, break them down and make it easier for the next person, or find another route. As an inspirational friend likes to remind me from time to time – ‘say yes to every opportunity, especially those that aren’t offered to you, then you can start saying no’. I have found this to be excellent advice. No one ever changed the world through grumbling alone.

Lesson 2: Have a vision

I’ve never been a big fan of leadership for leadership’s sake. In my opinion, good leadership comes from trying to figure out how to nudge reality slightly closer to the way you want the world to be. If you’re running for a role, you’re probably seeking to make something better. Try to define what it is that you stand for and then be true to that vision in your words and your actions. Any platforms or authority you acquire should be used for this purpose. Make everything you do an exercise in bringing about the positive change you want to see in the world. Sometimes this vision is yours, sometimes it comes about collaboratively. You don’t have to have all the answers, but if you don’t know what you are trying to accomplish, how will you know when you’ve done it?

Lesson 3: Relationships matter

Trying to change the world, even a little bit, requires building and maintaining relationships. You will either need to sculpt your vision and your purpose as a leader with others, or you will need to sell your vision to others. Either way, creating a diverse spectrum of allies is vital. You can’t be everywhere, and unless your goals are simple, you can’t accomplish them all by yourself. You will always need other people to help you move things forward. Most relationships require trust, and that trust comes from doing what you have said you are going to do. Therefore, try not to make promises you can’t keep, and remember to apologise when you fall short of your own standards. You will. We all do.

If you have the opportunity to lift as you climb, do so. However, while it’s comforting to surround yourself with people who already like and agree with you, you will also have to work with people who dislike or disagree with you. Get used to it. Try to respect and get along with these folks, regardless, unless it’s truly impossible. You may well need them on your side in due course. Consider their viewpoint and try to consider that they might be right.

Lesson 4: Keep yourself well

Some of you might roll your eyes at the term 'wellbeing', but you will accomplish far less in your career if you burn out too early. You will fatigue. Pretending otherwise is a recipe for doing so, and many leadership journeys end this way. The most hardened cynics you encounter may well be former idealists who didn’t know how to rest. I’ve fallen in a heap on my journey a handful of times because I don’t take this advice, even as I gave it to others.

Another inspirational friend (I have many) likes to remind me that ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’, and they are right. Try to take breaks, indulge your hobbies and spend time with your family and friends. Stay hydrated, spend time outside, and wear sunscreen. Keep yourself well, as much as it is within your power to do so. This matters at least as much as anything else in this article for accomplishing your goals.

Best of luck with wherever your leadership journey takes you. I hope we all change the world in positive ways.

Dr Fleming attempts to maintain his wellbeing with photography and travel with his family. He is fond of old cameras, and clouds.