Staying Power Reflection

A couple of weeks ago, I had the gift of facilitating a panel discussion with seasoned leaders in academic family medicine — people whose careers span decades, whose influence is immeasurable. I asked them to name a single word or phrase that captured what contributed to their longevity in this work. They items they highlighted were real, textured, and deeply human:

Re-imagine — To make something from nothing. To see limitation and create possibility.

Optimistic dedication — A brutally optimistic commitment to training the best family physicians, even when the work is hard - because it matters.

Generativity — The indirect impact a leader has: # of residents × # of years × # of patients = a ripple effect that quietly changes the world. (And some even circle back to say - Thank you).

Duck — Not because people throw things at you 😉 but because ducks have a natural oil in their feathers that lets water roll off. Not taking things personally and not letting things soak in that diminish your work.

Hope — Not wishful thinking, but elpis, the Greek sense of “confident trust.” It reminded one panelist of a line in a Patty Griffin song: Love isn’t here, love isn’t here, but it’s somewhere. The intentional belief that something better is possible even when you can't see it.

As I sat with their words, I kept thinking: sustaining leadership — the kind that’s heart-forward and purpose-driven — takes more than knowledge and vision. It takes poetry. It takes trust in the long arc of this work.

Reflection: So, I invite you to ask yourself:

What’s your word? What’s that one belief, mindset, or phrase that will help you stay the course? (Drop it below in comments - I'd love to know)