EP23 - Unveiling the Pet-to-Threat ™ Phenomenon in Healthcare

EP26 - How to Lead Meetings That Matter in Healthcare using the IMPACT Model from Authentic Gravitas

I wanted to bring this episode to you because meetings are such a big part of how we lead, especially in healthcare, and yet so many of them feel rushed, reactive, or disconnected. In this episode of Healthcare Leadership Insights, I explore what it actually takes to lead meetings that matter, drawing on the principles of authentic gravitas. This isn’t about dominating the room or having all the answers. It’s about how you show up, how you create space for others, and how intentional small shifts can completely change the quality of your conversations. What You’ll Discover - Why Presence Isn’t About Performance: Gravitas isn’t about confidence or charisma, it’s about clarity, curiosity, and how you show up for others. - The Power of Better Conversations: Creating space before the agenda and asking thoughtful questions can transform collaboration and influence. - From Reactive to Intentional Leadership: Without time to think and reflect, we don’t lead, we simply respond to pressure. What really stands out in this episode is how much impact sits in the moments we often overlook. The space before a meeting starts, the decision to ask one better question, the willingness to listen instead of jumping straight to solutions. These aren’t big, dramatic leadership moves, but they change how people feel, how they contribute, and ultimately, the outcomes you create together. There’s also a deeper message here about self-leadership. If we don’t create time to think, to reflect, and to be intentional about who we are as leaders, we default to reacting. And in environments as complex and pressured as healthcare, that shift from reactive to intentional can make all the difference. If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling like it didn’t quite land, or wondered how to have more impact without being louder or more forceful, this episode will give you a different way to think about it. Try one small shift in your next conversation and see what changes. Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations [https://www.instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations] LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie-56a4ba5b/] Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com [https://healthcareleadershipconversations.com/] Episode Resources Authentic Gravitas: Who Stands out and Why by Dr Rebecca Newton [https://rebeccanewton.co.uk/#book]. Gravitas Is a Quality You Can Develop, Harvard Business Review by Rebecca Newton [https://hbr.org/2020/09/gravitas-is-a-quality-you-can-develop]. The Surprising Science of Meetings by Steven G Rogelberg [https://www.stevenrogelberg.com/the-surprising-science-of-meetings-1]. Why Your Meetings Stink—and What to Do About It, Harvard Business Review by Steven G. Rogelberg HBR [https://hbr.org/2019/01/why-your-meetings-stink-and-what-to-do-about-it]. Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

EP25 - Leadership Insights: Book Club - Authentic Gravitas

I want to start this episode with a question that really made me pause. Have you ever been in a room where someone just has that presence? They don’t dominate, they don’t raise their voice, but somehow they carry weight and people lean in. In this episode of Leadership Insights Book Club, I unpack the idea of gravitas through Dr Rebecca Newton’s book Authentic Gravitas, and honestly, it completely changed how I think about leadership presence. This is about letting go of what we think leadership should look like and understanding what actually makes people stand out in a meaningful, lasting way. What You’ll Discover - The Myths Holding You Back: Gravitas isn’t something you’re born with, it doesn’t require confidence, and it’s not about charisma. - What Real Presence Actually Is: Authentic gravitas comes from focusing on others, not performing importance or trying to stand out. - How to Build It Practically: From inviting honest feedback to choosing courage over waiting for confidence, small shifts create real impact. What really stayed with me is how freeing this is. So many people, especially in healthcare, assume leadership presence belongs to the loudest or most confident person in the room. But this completely flips that idea. It’s not about performing confidence or having all the answers. It’s about clarity, curiosity, integrity, and the courage to step forward even when you don’t feel ready. There’s also something deeper here about self-leadership. If we never create space to think, to reflect, to be intentional about how we show up, we end up reacting instead of leading. And that distinction matters more than we often realise. Even small moments of reflection can shift how we show up in conversations, decisions, and ultimately, the impact we have. If you’ve ever questioned whether you have “that presence” or felt like your impact doesn’t quite match your intention, this episode will challenge that in the best way. Share it with someone who’s stepping into leadership or finding their voice. Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations [https://www.instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations] LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie-56a4ba5b/] Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com [https://healthcareleadershipconversations.com/] Episode Resources Authentic Gravitas: Who Stands out and Why by Dr Rebecca Newton [https://rebeccanewton.co.uk/#book]. Gravitas Is a Quality You Can Develop, Harvard Business Review by Rebecca Newton [https://hbr.org/2020/09/gravitas-is-a-quality-you-can-develop]. Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

EP24 - Actionable Solutions: Reframing Responsibility in Pet-to-Threat ™

I’ve been thinking a lot about the response to last week’s episode, because the number of messages that came in really said something. So many of you said the same thing. “I didn’t know it had a name… but this is exactly what I’ve experienced.” In this episode, I wanted to go deeper. Not just naming the pet-to-threat phenomenon, but actually exploring what you can do when you find yourself in it. This is a more practical, honest conversation about navigating systems that shift from supporting you to undermining you, and how to protect your identity, your wellbeing, and your career.  What You’ll Discover - It’s Not Imposter Syndrome: Pet-to-threat is a systemic pattern done to you, not an internal lack of confidence, and that distinction changes everything.  - Protect Your Identity and Power: Building a reputation beyond your organisation creates resilience and gives you real options.  - Know When It’s Time to Leave: Sometimes the system won’t change, and recognising that early can protect your health, your performance, and your sense of self.  What really stayed with me while putting this together is how many people are quietly navigating this without language for it. And once you name it, something shifts. You stop internalising it. You start seeing the system more clearly. And from there, you can make more intentional decisions about how you show up and where you choose to stay. This episode isn’t just for those experiencing it, it’s also for leaders. Because if we’re honest, these patterns don’t sustain themselves by accident. They’re shaped, reinforced, and sometimes ignored at the top. And that means they can also be changed. Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations [https://www.instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations] LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie-56a4ba5b/] Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com [https://healthcareleadershipconversations.com/] Episode Resources Women of Color at Midcareer: Going from Pet to Threat [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376421576_Women_of_Color_at_Midcareer_Going_from_Pet_to_Threat]™. Psychological Health of Women of Color: Intersections, Challenges, and Opportunities, p 275.” "Thomas, K. M., Johnson-Bailey, J., Phelps, R. E., Tran, N. M., & Johnson, L. N. (2013). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376421576_Women_of_Color_at_Midcareer_Going_from_Pet_to_Threat] The Persistence Of Pet To Threat [https://www.forbes.com/sites/keciathomas/2024/01/13/the-persistence-of-pet-to-threat/]™ By Kecia M. Thomas. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/keciathomas/2024/01/13/the-persistence-of-pet-to-threat/] The Infuriating Journey From Pet To Threat [https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2021/06/29/the-infuriating-journey-from-pet-to-threat-how-bias-undermines-black-women-at-work/]™: How Bias Undermines Black Women At Work. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2021/06/29/the-infuriating-journey-from-pet-to-threat-how-bias-undermines-black-women-at-work/] Uche Blackstock - Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine. [https://ucheblackstock.com/book/] Advancing Health Equity. [https://advancinghealthequity.com/] Why Black doctors like me are leaving faculty positions in academic medical centers. [https://www.statnews.com/2020/01/16/black-doctors-leaving-faculty-positions-academic-medical-centers/] Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

EP23 - Unveiling the Pet-to-Threat ™ Phenomenon in Healthcare

I had one of those moments reading recently where something just clicks and you can’t unsee it. In this episode, I unpack the Pet-to-Threat™ phenomenon, a concept I came across through Dr Uché Blackstock’s work, and honestly, it stopped me in my tracks. We explore how high-performing clinicians, particularly women of colour, can go from being celebrated to being sidelined the moment they begin to challenge the status quo. This is a difficult but necessary conversation about culture, power, and what’s really happening inside healthcare systems.  What You’ll Discover - From Valued to Vulnerable: How individuals are initially embraced as symbols of diversity, but later perceived as threats when they gain influence and speak up.  - Why Systems Resist Change: The hidden hierarchies and cultural norms in healthcare that make it difficult to challenge inequity without consequence.  - What We Can Actually Do: Practical ways for individuals and leaders to recognise, address, and disrupt this pattern in real-world settings.  What really stayed with me is how insidious this phenomenon is. It doesn’t always show up loudly or obviously. It’s subtle, often invisible, and that’s what makes it so powerful. But the impact is real. We are losing incredibly talented clinicians, not because they aren’t capable, but because the system struggles to accommodate their voice once it becomes too strong to ignore. This episode is an invitation to reflect honestly. Whether you see yourself in the experiences described or recognise patterns in your organisation, there’s something here for all of us. Because this isn’t just about individuals, it’s about the culture we create and sustain. Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations [https://www.instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations] LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie-56a4ba5b/] Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com [https://healthcareleadershipconversations.com/] Episode Resources Women of Color at Midcareer: Going from Pet to Threat [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376421576_Women_of_Color_at_Midcareer_Going_from_Pet_to_Threat]™ . Psychological Health of Women of Color: Intersections, Challenges, and Opportunities, p 275.” "Thomas, K. M., Johnson-Bailey, J., Phelps, R. E., Tran, N. M., & Johnson, L. N. (2013). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376421576_Women_of_Color_at_Midcareer_Going_from_Pet_to_Threat] The Persistence Of Pet To Threat [https://www.forbes.com/sites/keciathomas/2024/01/13/the-persistence-of-pet-to-threat/]™ By Kecia M. Thomas [https://www.forbes.com/sites/keciathomas/2024/01/13/the-persistence-of-pet-to-threat/] Uche Blackstock - Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine [https://ucheblackstock.com/book/] Advancing Health Equity [https://advancinghealthequity.com/] Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/].

EP22 - Shaping Organisational Culture: What Healthcare Can Learn from a Business School

I’ve been thinking a lot about organisational culture lately, especially in healthcare, where the stakes are so high and the pressures never seem to let up. In this episode, I explore what healthcare can learn from business schools when it comes to shaping culture intentionally, not just letting it evolve by default. This is a conversation about leadership, systems, and the everyday behaviours that quietly define how teams function, whether we realise it or not. What You’ll Discover - Culture Is What You Tolerate: Why organisational culture is shaped less by values on a wall and more by the behaviours leaders allow and reinforce every day. - Learning from Business Schools: How structured thinking around leadership, feedback, and performance can transform how healthcare teams operate. - From Intent to Action: Why culture change only happens when systems, incentives, and behaviours are aligned, not just when intentions are good. What really stayed with me while reflecting on this topic is how easy it is to underestimate culture because it feels intangible. But in reality, it shows up everywhere, in how people speak up, how decisions are made, and how safe teams feel to learn and improve. And in healthcare, that directly impacts patient care. If you’re leading a team or shaping an organisation in any way, this episode is an invitation to look a little closer at the culture you’re creating, intentionally or not. Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations [https://www.instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations] LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie-56a4ba5b/] Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com [https://healthcareleadershipconversations.com/] Episode Resources The Berkeley-Haas School of Business: Codifying, Embedding, and Sustaining Culture (A) [https://faculty.haas.berkeley.edu/chatman/cases/2017_7_berkeleyhaas_5897_watermarked.pdf] The Berkeley-Haas School of Business: Codifying, Embedding, and Sustaining Culture (B) [https://faculty.haas.berkeley.edu/chatman/cases/2019_3_berkeleyhaas_5932.pdf] Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts [http://urbanpodcasts.co.uk/]