Inside The Edge
About
The Executive Chair
The one question you always want to ask a successful person in a senior leadership role is “How did you get there?” In developing your own career, you learn more from hearing what worked – and didn’t work – from senior leaders and hearing their wisdom than from any other source.
We are embarking on a series of interviews with leaders who exemplify success for us. In their words are insights that can give you direction for moving your own career forward.
To read a summary, written by Michael DeVenney, of the past 12 interviews this year - click here.
| Janet Knox - Being Open to Learn from Everyone |
Bluteau DeVenney and Company (BDCO): What did you do to move to a leadership role?Janet Knox (JK) I supposed my career has been a gradual progression. I started out as a staff nurse. Then very early in my career I completed a Master of Nursing degree and taught at the university level. I was at the University of British Columbia when I had a really great opportunity to get involved in research and travel internationally while completing that research. I had no choice but to develop strong leadership skills because I was very young and I had to be able to defend my right to be in that academic environment at my age, doing research and challenging others who were 20 years older than me. I didn't plan out my career, but instead saw it as five year increments. Usually at the end of five years I knew that I was getting too comfortable, and I don't like being comfortable. I find that boring. I need to be challenged. My goal is to try do things well and make things better, so I always took every opportunity to get myself in a position where I could that. I once found myself in Pakistan, leading a review of their national nursing education because the consultant for the World Health Organization suddenly became ill and Canada said they would step in. As a result, I got this call and ten days later I was in Islamabad. I was an educational consultant at the time and I was excited with an opportunity to assist another country. I believe I always learned so much from the people I met and worked with. (BDCO): What is one thing that developing professionals need to do more of?(JK): I think they need to reflect upon their own practice and their contribution to their organization. I think that being self aware and asking themselves how they are contributing is what really what needs to happen. They also need to be open to learning from others. I have gotten where I am because I have learned from everyone I've worked with. When you walk with people and work with people they teach you an inordinate amount. People generally want to do really well, and if you contribute to the team, the team contributes to you. (BDCO): What about doing less of?(JK): I think people need to think about their whole self and make sure that they're well rounded. You shouldn't only focus on your career. I have a husband and three children. We made it work by making everything a family thing. We've done all of the hockey, swimming, and music, but my children also spent a lot of time at the IWK with me on Saturday mornings and in the library with me. They coloured and read in the library while I studied for my MBA. My advice for young professionals is not to compare yourself to others, because what's right for you is not right for me. Really look at what is it you want to do with your whole life, and think about how can you do that. (BDCO): What experience helped you the most in your career and why?(JK): I think being a university professor early in my career really challenged me to know what I know and know what I didn't know, and to understand why I had an opinion. Being a young person at a very conservative university with the oldest nursing program in Canada, I can remember thinking that I couldn't just read the literature. I knew I had to have to have my own opinion in order to truly help the students learn, and to be able to stand up in the large faculty and be counted as someone who could contribute in a positive way. I was there five years, and those five years were a total transformation for me. In learning to be an educator, I learned how to assess any situation, and that's really useful. (BDCO): What was the greatest challenge moving your career forward?(JK): I think a big challenge was that I was in health care at a time when there was a lot of reorganization. There have been many challenging times with great impacts on people served by the system and also those working within the health system. Staying positive and working with others to make the best decisions has sometimes been challenging. I do believe that the system is a great resource for people and that is what keeps me focused. (BDCO): What is the greatest strength of your approach to leadership?(JK): I believe that people genuinely want to do well and given the opportunity and support to participate can accomplish amazing things. I want people to be involved in the decisions that they can impact and I believe in supporting people to do their work. I don't have to micromanage. I believe in the power of the group. That being said, I feel I can provide direction and I can make decisions. However, I will not make decisions for others and I work hard not to interfere in the work of others. I work hard to help others understand the organizational processes we have to make decisions and support them to use them appropriately. (BDCO): What has been the biggest surprise you have had since attaining a senior leadership role?(JK): I don't know that I've had any big surprises. Perhaps because my career has been a gradual progression I always felt ready for the next step. (BDCO): What is the greatest benefit to you in attaining a senior leadership role?(JK): I'm in the position where I constantly have to look at the big picture and take responsibility for that. I am challenged to do the right thing, and that's what I need to keep going. It's the best job I've ever had. There is so much to be done, and I am lucky to work with wonderful people in a great organization . People here are really interested in their work and know how to contribute to the organization’s success. I feel fortunate . (BDCO): What is the next achievement you want in your leadership career?(JK): My next achievement is to see this organization thrive and contribute to the Nova Scotia health system. I really believe that as a district health authority we can't just focus on the district. We have to look at what we need to do for the district, as well as how our district supports our provincial health system. I want people to feel that Annapolis Valley Health makes sure that the citizens of the district, and the citizens of the province, have appropriate service and support. I would also like to see more students here. We have a lot of students here currently and are examining ways to ensure that we are a great place to learn. Students enrich our environment and challenge all of us in our thinking. (BDCO): What is the biggest challenge you face in achieving results in your work?(JK): My biggest challenge is that there is a great demand for health services and resources are shrinking. We need to change our views on health and health services. The real outcome we want to accomplish is a change in health status of our population and that is probably a change that will take one to two decades and requires collaborative work with the community. Marinating a focus on health when the indicators of change take a long time to demonstrate success is a challenge. That is the real outcome we strive for as a health authority. We want to contribute to better health for all. For me the biggest challenge is maintaining effort and strategies that will gradually change the picture of health in the community. This requires focused change management, community engagement and development strategies. This is new work in many communities. (BDCO): What is your greatest opportunity/goal for providing value for your organization?(JK): The biggest opportunity that we have is to make sure we have the right people in the right places doing the right things. We need to make sure that the people that we have are the best, and they are supported and encouraged to contribute their very best. The organization should be nimble and able to respond to challenges. Managing the use of resources we have to ensure the best outcome for the people we serve is my biggest opportunity to provide value to this organization. (BDCO): What added support or capability would help you most in delivering on your goals?(JK): I believe the best resource for success resides in the people who are our organization. I need to continue to work with them to ensure that they have what they need so that we can all support the agenda of the organization and fulfill the role we have in the community. Sometimes people think, if only they had more money or more people. Well the reality is that often there isn't any more money or people, so I just need the support of the organization to do what needs to be done to manage the challenge. Think about where you are now in your career and what you can take from Janet's observations. We would love to hear your comments about what are your key takeaways from our conversation with Janet. Tell us your progress – we want you to succeed. ______________________________________________________________
The Annapolis Valley Health Authority manages and provides health care services to the residents of the Annapolis Valley. Through its two hospitals and three health care centres, Annapolis Valley Health Authority promotes & improves the health of individuals, families, and communities in the region. You can find out more about Annapolis Valley Health Authority at www.avdha.nshealth.ca.
|
