How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
Your Inner Leader
We explored the concept of our inner
belief in us. We all have this inner
critics in our last article together.
leader within ourselves.
Now, we get to visit with my all-time favorite leadership secret power and
Some call this our intuition, our gut
get to know our inner leader.
instinct, our sixth-sense, or maybe even a higher being. There are touches
So, what am I talking about when I
of the spiritual in this concept of our
say, “your inner leader?”
inner leader. And when we are in full alignment and resonance with our
The opposite of our inner critic, our
own inner leaders, the experience can
inner leader is the knowing, wise voice
feel powerful and even spiritual.
and space inside of us that is the voice of love, compassion, kindness, and
So how do we get in touch with this
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
inner knowing and leader within us,
Our inner leaders can also be more
when we need it most in our lives and
subtle, softer, and quieter – in fact,
careers as physicians and leaders?
they usually are, especially in comparison to our inner critics who
Think about a time when you
can often be loud, harsh and
mustered up the courage, chutzpah,
dominate our inner thoughts and
and strength to do something that was
emotions. To really get in touch with
scary but felt right -- and did it
our inner leaders, we must slow down,
anyways. What did that experience
turn down the dial on our inner critics,
feel like? Revisit the situation, what
get out of our heads, and get in touch
was going on in your life at the time,
with that inner space between our
and how you were feeling. Really step
thoughts and emotions where our
into yourself in that moment and re-
greatest power lies.
imagine and envision what sensations you were feeling in your body, what
Tara Mohr, the author of Playing Big:
your emotions were, and where this
Practical Wisdom for Women Who
feeling was in your body. You can even
Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead
sit or stand in the same posture that
shares a visualization based on the
you were at that moment in time. We
“Future Self” visualization from The
spend so much time in our heads, and
Co-Active Training Institute, where we
often forget that we have an entire
both received our professional
body attached to us below! There is
coaching certification. In this “Inner
tremendous somatic wisdom in our
Mentor” visualization, she takes
bodies – our bodies don’t lie. So really
readers on a journey to visit their
inhabit the feeling of that courageous,
future selves 20 years into the future.
powerful but scary moment in time.
This is an incredibly powerful
This is the feeling of stepping into your
metaphor for who we want to become
own inner leader.
in our lives. 20 years from now, who is
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
it you want to be? What wisdom does
So, the next time you notice the voice
this older self have for you? The
of our inner critic, pause. Close your
visualization in Tara Mohr’s book is
eyes. Take three deep breaths. And
one of the most powerful out there to
imagine yourself stepping into your
help women step into their most
own inner leader. Notice what your
authentic versions of who they are. I
inner leader says, especially in
recommend this chapter in the book
response to what your inner critic is
to every single one of my clients and
saying. Notice the difference in what
to all my women physician friends. I
they are both saying to you. Know,
truly believe Playing Big should be
that your inner leader is always most
required reading for ALL women and
aligned with the deepest part of who
girls.
you are as a human being, and as a leader.
So imagine yourself 20 years into the future. Who is this woman? What
I challenge you to step into your own
wisdom does she hold for you? When
inner leader, every single day. Channel
faced with a challenging situation or
her before you walk into a room, log
decision, what would she do? What
into a virtual meeting, or walk from
wisdom would she share with you?
the parking lot to your office in the morning. This is who I want you tobe
This is our inner leader. This place of
as a leader – strong, brave, and
inner knowing and leadership, who is
completely authentic to you and only
brave, courageous, and bold in a way
you. No one can tell you who to be as
that is most aligned with the deepest
a leader, or what a great leader is –
and most authentic part of who you
because only you can define this for
are. This is who we want to be as
yourself. To me, the “how to” part of
leaders.
how to lead as a woman physician is
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series
to empower you to define what YOUR leadership looks like for you. I can’t do this for you. I’m here to help you, guide you, and support you as you explore who it is you truly want to be as a leader, every step of the way. When you show up from this place of inner leadership, of fulling inhabiting this most powerful and authentic part of your inner being, you are a force of nature. You are unstoppable. Your Assignment: Think about that time when you reached deep inside yourself and showed up as the brave and most authentic you. Journal about this experience, how it felt, what your thoughts were, and what the experience was like for you. Check out Tara Mohr’s book, Playing Big. Read chapter 2 of the book, “The Voice of Inner Wisdom.” For the next seven days when you wake up in the morning, really think about and inhabit the space of your inner leader. Channel her as you go through your day. Then at the end of day, journal for 10 minutes about what it was like to inhabit her space that day. How did she help you align with your core values and your Why? Email me at info@tammiechangmd.com with questions, any time. I am here for you friend…!
Tammie
Tammie Chang, MD, LLC
