Dr Girija Anand, (informally known as Gij) has been a Consultant Clinical Oncologist for almost 15 years. She is now also an Associate Medical director at a North London NHS Trust where her responsibilities include clinical governance for doctors and professional affairs. 

Reflective Questions for Health Leaders
1. Have you ever been encouraged into a leadership role before you felt fully ready? What qualities did others see in you that you may not have recognised in yourself? Recognising potential early is a powerful reminder for healthcare leaders to trust the feedback of others and to look for leadership qualities in their own teams. When we encourage emerging leaders, we build stronger departments and set the stage for resilient healthcare organisations.

2. In your own journey, when have you felt the weight of imposter syndrome, and what steps did you take to overcome it? Remember, seeking out new skills, leaning on mentors, and embracing coaching can be transformative tools for every leader. They provide fresh perspectives and reinforce confidence, helping us feel equipped to lead.

3. Who is in your support network, and how can they help you manage leadership challenges more effectively? Are you able to ask for help when needed? Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a hallmark of strong leadership. It signals humility, confidence, and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for patients and teams.

4. How well do you balance clinical and leadership duties? What changes could you make to protect your personal time and prioritise self-care? Maintaining this balance isn’t easy, but by prioritising well-being and building trusted teams, leaders can sustain themselves for the long term and model resilience for those they lead.

5. What’s your approach to leading through organisational change? How do you ensure that all voices are heard and team morale stays high? Mergers and integration require deep trust and collaboration. By empowering leaders within each department, Gij is fostering a culture of trust that will be essential for the successful integration of services and improved patient outcomes.

6. What leadership styles do you naturally gravitate towards, and how could expanding your range of styles improve your effectiveness? Understanding our strengths and style as leaders can help us harness our unique qualities and lead authentically. As Gij shows, leadership is as much about self-discovery as it is about guiding others. 

If you’re interested in exploring coaching or learning more about leadership in healthcare, visit my website, where you’ll find a wealth of resources tailored to medical and public health professionals. Sign up for my newsletter to receive 3 hours of free CPD through the Health Career Success Programme and access a range of articles, tools, and guides to support your career journey.

Dr Fiona Day is the world’s only Leadership Coach with advanced coaching psychology, medical and public health qualifications (MBChB, FFPH, BPS Chartered Psychologist in Coaching Psychology, EMCC Master Practitioner Coach & Mentor) and is in a unique position to help you and your teams to flourish. Fiona specialises in coaching medical and public health leaders, is a coach Supervisor, and an EQA Foundation Award Holder. Book a free confidential 30 minute Consultation with Fiona here.