390 Tina Vatanka Murphy: The Shift From Understudy to Lead is Merely a Matter of Mindset
Sep 13, 2024
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Tina Vatanka Murphy, a healthcare leader who overcame imposter syndrome, shares her inspirational journey from self-doubt to embracing leadership. She discusses how self-perception can hinder confidence and highlights the critical role of mindset in accepting new opportunities. Tina reflects on her diverse background and emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership. The conversation also touches on navigating smart failures and harnessing disruption for personal and professional growth, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.
Tina Vatanka Murphy's journey highlights the transformative power of mindset in overcoming imposter syndrome and embracing leadership opportunities.
Her advocacy for inclusion stems from personal experiences with cultural identity, underscoring the importance of fostering diverse voices in organizations.
Deep dives
Embracing Leadership Opportunities
Many individuals often struggle with the perceived barriers of stepping into leadership roles, as demonstrated in the case of Tina Vitanka Murphy. Initially, she was approached for the role of president without recognizing that she was the intended candidate; her instinctive reaction aligned with viewing herself as an understudy rather than a leader. However, when the opportunity was presented, her response was one of affirmation and confidence, showcasing her inherent capabilities. This transformation emphasizes that self-perception in relation to one’s abilities can significantly affect professional growth, and acknowledging one's potential is a vital step in accepting leadership challenges.
The Impact of Cultural Background
Tina's early experiences living in Iran and later returning to the United States deeply influenced her views on diversity and inclusion. Faced with cultural identity challenges, she learned the importance of belonging and ensuring that others do not feel marginalized. These formative years contributed to her advocacy for inclusive environments, where people are seen and acknowledged for their authentic selves. By sharing her journey, Tina highlights the transformative effect of creating spaces where diverse voices can thrive within organizations.
Navigating Failure and Innovation
In discussing the nature of failure, Tina distinguished between smart failure, which promotes learning and innovation, and careless failure, which she does not tolerate. This perspective aligns with a growth mindset, where mistakes are viewed as opportunities to learn and improve rather than as setbacks. She emphasized the importance of fostering a culture where smart failures are embraced to drive innovation, reinforcing that true progress involves understanding and analyzing the mistakes after they occur. The emphasis on learning from failures positions them as a crucial element for personal and organizational development.
The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
Tina discussed the significance of vulnerability in building strong teams and how it often is misperceived as a weakness. She believes that genuine vulnerability fosters trust and connection among team members, allowing individuals to share both their strengths and challenges openly. This approach encourages team cohesion, ultimately contributing to a more supportive organizational culture. By modeling vulnerability, leaders can break down barriers and promote an environment conducive to collaboration and shared growth.
Imposter syndrome is something to which most of us can relate. The idea of doubting our own skills and abilities, even in the face of myriad accomplishments. It’s a common human experience. It’s easier to have faith in others than buy into ourselves.
When Tina Vatanka Murphy was called into a meeting with her company’s CEO and HR director to talk about filling the role of president for Global Healthcare Exchange’s (GHX) European enterprise, she didn’t realize they were asking her to take on that role. She had never envisioned herself in that type of leadership position.
What’s interesting and surprising and delightful is that –– while it’s true that she hadn’t seen herself in that role –– once she came to grips with this unexpected proposal, there wasn’t imposter syndrome, her first thought was refreshing. Of course I can do this! “I’m going to go kill it.”
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