Editor’s note: The following were additional insights from two of this year’s Ten People to Watch in Healthcare Contracting
JHC: Who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?
Erik Walerius, chief supply chain officer, UW Medicine, Seattle, Washington: Mentors have been instrumental in the success and development of me as a leader as well as our management team across our supply chain. All our directors have a mentor that we have connected them with across our health system. The biggest value we have seen in mentorships is creating a venue for a sounding board that allows employees to be able to bounce ideas off someone they trust and to obtain valuable guidance. Similarly, we have found that a mentor is someone who will advocate for you as you’ve established a strong relationship and they have background to your perspectives and good intentions. These mentorships have been major contributing factors to our team’s success by receiving endless guidance and direction.
JHC: How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Jennifer Reverendo, vice president of Cooperative Services of Florida: I was fortunate to participate in an immersive multi-month development program that provoked deep reflection on leadership style, acknowledgement of vulnerability, and innovative curiosity. While I experienced significant personal growth as a leader during that time, I also understood which leadership aspects that would require deliberate development if I wanted to continue my journey. In the absence of formal programs, I enjoy articles and podcasts on leadership. More importantly, I seek out those who have demonstrated a commitment to their own development and ask for feedback in the moment on what I could do differently to contribute to a better result. I am a firm believer in the concepts humble inquiry, that you control the culture immediately around you, and that your reaction to an event directly affects the outcome.