How to Lead as a Woman Physician Series: Your Inner Leader

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