Cindy Welch

In my experience having some clinical influences really helps shape your leadership and understanding. I started as a RN and found myself in a leadership role. That experience helped me related to my staff and understand what influences workflows. It can be something such as a receptionist in a doctors office to a nursing assistant or executive assistant to a healthcare leader.

As a healthcare manager, you are a collaborator, HR, mentor. You are fiscally responsible on both sides of the balance sheet. Time management, problem solving, critical thinking and three top skills to hone.

In your twilight years as a leader with 25+ years of experience, mentoring remains crucial. Focus on sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience with younger colleagues. Be an active listener, provide guidance based on your insights, and encourage their professional growth. Embrace reverse mentoring to learn from their fresh perspectives and technological expertise. Foster a supportive environment, set clear expectations, and offer constructive feedback. By investing in mentoring, you leave a lasting legacy and help shape the next generation of leaders.

As you approach retirement, transitioning to prioritize work-life balance can be rewarding. Reflect on what matters most outside of work, set clear boundaries, and delegate tasks to your team. Gradually reduce work hours and rediscover hobbies. Prioritize your physical and mental health with regular exercise and mindfulness. Spend quality time with loved ones and develop a clear retirement plan. Seek support from a coach or mentor for guidance, and celebrate small victories. These strategies will help you find fulfillment and enjoyment in a more balanced lifestyle. A very challenging task when you are a baby boomer or generation jones :).

Embracing change in the twilight of your career involves staying open-minded and committed to continuous learning. Leverage your experience to mentor younger colleagues and stay current with technology. Build a strong professional network for support and insights, and set new career goals to stay motivated. Be flexible with new ways of working and seek support from colleagues or mentors. Regularly reflect on your career journey to reassess priorities. These strategies will help you adapt, grow professionally, and make meaningful contributions as you navigate transitions.

Coming from a healthcare leader perspective, In communication, asserting yourself is necessary but can be challenging, especially for women due to cultural differences and biases. It's important to understand your audience and adjust your assertiveness techniques accordingly. From a nurse perspective, and even a leader at times, you must be an advocate of patients and staff and that takes finely tuned communication techniques, again know your audience and how they best respond and taylor accordingly.