Reflections on leadership

During my career, I have had many valuable experiences, including the involvement that I have had with faculty development at CFPC. I served on the Working Group on Faculty Development (WGFD) and its successor, the Faculty Development Education Committee (FDEC). Committee membership was comfortable and provided me with opportunities to contribute to my field of interest. I was surprised however when I was asked to become the next FDEC chair.

By that time, mentors suggested that leadership positions were in all family physicians’ futures and to expect them during my career. They encouraged me to regard them as opportunities and to accept them if they aligned with my work. I had held other leadership roles by that time from which I learned a great deal. They highlighted the importance of considering future leadership roles with deliberation. Therefore, when I was asked about becoming FDEC chair, I asked myself and my mentors some questions:

What could I offer this committee as chair?

What did I see in myself?

Why was I approached instead of another FDEC member?

What did they see in me?

What is the:

• difference from my current FDEC role?
• length of term?
• time commitment?
• support available?

How does this role benefit me?

I really enjoyed being FDEC chair. I was asked by the CFPC Education leadership about my vision because my ideas mattered to them. The supports (administration, leadership, and support of committee members) were present and encouraging. This enabled me to lead various initiatives (e.g. scholarly products). I am hoping the Section of Teachers Council also feels satisfied with my FDEC leadership.

Now that my term as chair is complete, I am grateful for the opportunity for reflection. I am now in a mentorship role on FDEC and I add value as an original WGFD member. I genuinely wish the new FDEC chair success and continued advancement of the excellent work done in faculty development nationally. For my own professional development, the FDEC chair role taught me leadership skills and helped me to determine how possible roles would be aligned to my work. Asking the above questions when approached about this experience was important and having support was necessary. This experience gave me confidence that I can be an effective leader by capitalizing on my own strengths and approaching it with a growth mindset. It also helped my understanding that leadership is a journey often without defined destinations and contributes to learning about oneself and the discipline. I also realized that by being in this role, I have the means to influence an area of my interest in a meaningful way.

Many areas of family medicine require leadership and my experience as FDEC chair was valuable for leadership development. Within education, there are many emerging ideas and innovations that could benefit from the involvement of family medicine leaders. My experience with WGFD and FDEC makes me look forward to future leadership positions with the CFPC and family medicine in general.

Dr. Sudha Koppula is an associate professor at the Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta. She is the faculty development director and associate chair of her department. She is also the past-chair of the CFPC Faculty Development Education Committee.