Leading in a Pandemic

Disclaimer, these are my own personal views, This post is dedicated to the hard working physicians, nurses, paramedics and all allied health workers in Ontario.

I have been a Physician for more than 15 years and Physician Leader for the past two. I've been fortunate with my medical training and house job in Pakistan, residency training in Toronto and MBA to develop skills, to lead as a physician and develop as a leader. I was taught many skills and tools but was never taught how to lead in a Pandemic. In fact I don't think any Healthcare Leaders were ever taught how to lead in this situation.

We certainly have disaster protocols and do simulations of those scenarios, but we would never have planned for a situation as challenging as this and as enduring as this. The challenge from this Pandemic has been most acute where hospitals have been overrun, I think of Wuhan, Lombardy, Brazil and New York, I never imagined Toronto would join that list.

Faced with a situation for which you've not been trained requires adaptability and arguably digging deep into your leadership toolbox. I would argue it not getting new tools that will help you out of this predicament but rather using your strengths as a leader and that will be different for everyone. Here are few truths that can help you, if you have any of your own please share.

• You can only change what's within your 4 walls, control what you can control.
• You are not inexhaustible, take the time to look after yourself.
• Show the people you lead, that you care, compassion in these times is the antidote to suffering.
• Don't be afraid to say you don't know.

We as healthcare workers have dedicated ourselves to helping the sick, and the need has never been greater. I consider myself fortunate to be in the position to lead but also conscious of the responsibility it bears. I hope this post will inspire fellow Healthcare Leaders in Ontario and all the Physicians, Nurses and other Healthcare workers to have the courage, determination and stamina to get through the next few weeks.