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.
| Menna MacIsaac - Know What's Right for You |
Bluteau DeVenney and Company (BDCO): What did you do to move to a leadership role?Menna MacIsaac (MM) I always knew I wanted a career that combined my interests in health care and business. I did my Masters in Health Administration early on which opened doors for me within hospitals, government, and nonprofit sectors. It is important to identify what you want to do, then stop every couple of years to think about how you could further develop your leadership skills and what new challenges you could take on to further your career. I started with my education and then looked for opportunities for change. (BDCO): What is one thing that developing professionals need to do more of?(MM): They need to be very cognizant of managing their careers. They need to continue to look for opportunities that build their tool kits. Always express interest in personal development to your employer. Be specific in what you want to do, because most employers would want to help you develop and would like to see you develop in an area that is of interest to both you and the organization. (BDCO): What experience helped you the most in your career and why?It wasn't so much an experience as it was a mindset. I was never being afraid to do things I hadn't done before and was always open to change. In order to be a real asset to your organization, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and take on responsibilities that may not technically be in your job description to show that your skill set is varied. (BDCO): What was the greatest challenge moving your career forward?(MM): Sometimes when an organization isn't a good fit, you continue to try to make it fit for you, rather than having the self-awareness to know that you are in the wrong place. I think when I was younger I worked harder to make something fit that clearly wasn't aligned with my skill set and my interests. As you get older, you become more aware of your strengths and you gain the confidence to admit with something isn't for you and the courage move on to seek opportunities that are better suited to you. (BDCO): What is the greatest strength of your approach to leadership?(MM): Being passionate about what I do. I believe my career has been dedicated to improving the health of Nova Scotians, regardless of which sector I have worked in. I have been very dedicated to whatever role I have taken on. Also, I have always enjoyed the people I have been surrounded by, which helps make my job easier. (BDCO): What is the greatest benefit to you in attaining a senior leadership role?(MM): I look at each experience I have in this role as a learning opportunity. I hope that I am bringing leadership to the organization, but I also hope that I am learning and giving back. I have been fortunate in my different roles to work with great management teams and great boards from whom I have learned a lot. (BDCO): What is the next achievement you want in your leadership career?(MM): I have always really enjoyed the hospital sector so I think eventually I would like to move to a leadership role within a hospital environment, equipped with the knowledge that enables me to work well with health providers, researchers, government, and non-profit. When I make that move I want it to be that I understand the importance of how these different parties work together to help improve the health of Nova Scotians. (BDCO): What is the biggest challenge you face in achieveing results in your work?(MM): As a leader in a non-profit organization, a big challenge I face is how competitive the non-profit sector is for dollars. The whole health care sector, but in particular the non-profit sector, is trying to do more with less. The second challenge I face is keeping my employees happy and fulfilled, in a marketplace where we don't have the ability to pay the kind of salaries that other sectors pay. We are not competitive with government and the corporate sector when it comes to salaries, so I have to make this a wonderful place to work so that people come here because they are committed to the vision. The foundation of this organization is our staff, so always keeping a healthy work place for our staff members and keeping them motivated is very important. We have very strong workplace wellness programs. (BDCO): What is your greatest opportunity/goal for providing value for your organization?(MM): The organization is currently undergoing a change at a national level, so I think the value I provide to the organization is my level of commitment, combined with the skills set I obtained while working in policy planning and evaluation. As a result I can take what many would consider difficult changes and implement them in a way that engages people to take ownership of the change, as opposed to resisting it. (BDCO): What added support or capability would help you the most in delivering on your goals?(MM): Right now I have to focus on change management and staff development. From helping everyone understand the cycle of change to dealing with conflict resolution in a proactive way, I really need to focus on communication and transparency throughout this change. Think about where you are now in your career and what you can take from Menna’s observations. We would love to hear your comments about what are your key takeaways from our conversation with Menna. Tell us your progress – we want you to succeed. ______________________________________________________________
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. You can find out more about Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia at www.heartandstroke.ns.ca. |
