What to Do When Your Strengths Have Side Effects with Dr Joanna Bircher

Dr Joanna Bircher talks about essential leadership skills and the impact of our personalities, motivations, and strengths on our teams. She explains why you need to act like a leader even if you think you are not one, and gives brilliant advice on becoming more self-aware. 

Episode Highlights

[05:54] You Are a Leader, Even if You Don’t Think You Are 

• Even if you're a trainee in a company,  you have an impact on your team. 

[08:56] Joanna’s Leadership Journey 

• Leadership is not about knowing everything. It’s about exploring new ideas together with your team.
• A leader listens, collaborates, and makes good decisions.

[14:00] How to Recognise Collaboration

• As a leader, it is your job to bring out others' opinions during discussions. 

[15:21] How to Develop Self-Awareness

• You can build a much better team if you focus on your strengths and those of your members.
• We must develop our strengths rather than our weaknesses. 

[22:26] Finding Your Strengths 

• Being self-aware means that you recognise the good and bad effects of your strengths. 
• Remember that the brighter you shine, the more shadow you cast.  

[26:41] The Dilemma of Hierarchy

• No matter what kind of leader you are, power imbalance will always be there. 
• When people are silent in meetings, the problem is often with your method, not with the people in the room.

[35:51] The Importance of Knowing Your Team’s Personality Profile 

• Your team’s strengths and motivations affect their job satisfaction and joy in work. 

[38:41] Developing Active Listening 

• Real listening isn’t just about waiting for your turn to talk. 

[40:58] Being Genuinely Curious 

• It’s better if you actively engage with people and help them come up with an answer on their own. 

[42:35] Joanna’s Top 3 Tips to Be a Better Leader

• Genuinely believe that you're not the person with the best idea.
• Learn how to listen and continue to practise it.
• Everybody in the room with you has their own ideas. 

Enjoyed This Podcast?

Write a review and share this with your friends.

Sign up for a FREE workbook.

Join the Shapes Collective Facebook group.

Find out more about our training here.

Email Rachel or reach her on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Check out the Permission to Thrive CPD membership for doctors!

Sign up now for the Shapes Toolkit Programs to help you take control of your workload, feel better, and beat burnout.

Create your ideal week using the THRIVE Week Planner!

Are you interested to join our You Are Not A Frog retreat? Or perhaps you have some questions about failure. Drop us an email at hello@youarenotafrog.com to let us know!

Check out the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management if you want to attend the Leaders in Healthcare conference. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Escape the Urgency Trap masterclass
A 90-minute training for doctors and other busy professionals working in high-stress, high-stakes jobs like healthcare.