Becoming YOU! Women in Healthcare Leadership Retreat Project

I met the incredible Dr. Britney Grayson on another project during which we connected quickly in our shared vision to support women in healthcare leadership. Dr. Grayson has been training surgery and anesthesia residents from several African countries since 2020. Based on the results of a survey her training workgroup compiled, she invited me to build and facilitate a retreat experience for 15 female residents to provide focused professional and personal development opportunity in building their very own leadership approaches.

African Female Healthcare Professional Experience

Dr. Grayson’s workgroup survey and research found that the experience, issues, and needs of women in medicine in Africa are different, especially in surgery. Findings include that despite women in Africa accounting for 40% of the medical student population, only 7% of the African surgical workforce is female.

53.1 % of female respondents stated that sometimes or often they are treated negatively by coworkers based on their gender (compared to male respondent percentage of 91.8% who have experienced this rarely or never)

72.4% of female respondents stated that sometimes, often or almost daily they are treated negatively by patients based on their gender (compared to male respondent percentage of 93.8% who have experienced this rarely or never).

Findings also noted significant discrepancies in gender-based differential treatment in the hospital (workplace) and community setting.

Bringing Becoming YOU! to High Impact Women in Africa

The planning has begun! In light of survey data and Dr. Grayson’s experience, we are planning a retreat experience with the goals of:

● Creating a safe space to discuss these issues and collaboratively work together to note their impact, supporting one another in a strategy to build awareness and resource the community in addressing them

● Building healthy community via sharing, networking, mentorship, peer support

● Encouraging residents via opportunity to illuminate personal and professional strengths, recognize ways to leverage these in support of self and other; respectfully inform, train, advocate

● Improving recruitment, retention, and well-being of African female surgery trainees, faculty, volunteers, leadership

Partner With Me!

If you would like to contribute a tax-deductible gift to support this project, please click here and write Project 198-Retreat Dr. Natalie in the comments block. Funds will support my transportation, assessment materials and preparations for this project. Thank YOU for supporting these incredibly high-impact women committed to serving their communities via much-needed specialized training and ensuring their own well-being as they do so!

2023-PAACS-Women-Retreat_1-1-1536x1024 — Surgery and anesthesia residents with Dr. Grayson on their 2023 retreat.

Beyond Change Management: The Human Experience in Big Change

No one likes the in-between. I’m supporting a lot of leaders with “How do we navigate this pending reduction in force?” and “How do I support my team through this change with my own future so uncertain?” Day-to-day changes might be a new policy, project, person. Change management is a vital skill for life and leadership. But ... Read more

The Psychology of Leadership Identity: Why Knowing Yourself Is Step One

In my coaching work with leaders, I’m often asked how to become more confident, more effective, or more inspiring. And often we find ourselves backing up to a more foundational truth: you have to know who you are before you can decide how you lead. Leadership isn’t just a collection of skills—it’s an extension of ... Read more

How to Be an Empathetic Leader Without Losing Authority

Empathy is an essential leadership skill, strengthening relationships, building trust, and improving team morale. Yet many leaders hesitate to lean into empathy for fear of seeming weak or overly accommodating. Striking the right balance between understanding and authority is key to maintaining leadership effectiveness. Empathetic leadership does not mean lowering standards or avoiding difficult conversations. ... Read more

From Overperformance to Impact: Leading Without Proving Yourself

For many women in leadership, there’s an unspoken pressure to overperform just to prove we belong. Maybe you’ve felt it—the need to work twice as hard, say yes to everything, or produce flawless results just to be seen as credible. It’s exhausting. But here’s the truth: Leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about creating impact. ... Read more

From Connection to Confidence: How Communities Empower Leaders to Make Bold Decisions

Leadership often demands bold decisions, but the ability to make them doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Confidence in decision-making stems from clarity, preparation, and a strong support system. Engaging with a diverse network of leaders provides a foundation for all three, empowering individuals to face challenges head-on and make confident, informed choices. Communities like True You ... Read more

Building Emotional Intelligence Through Community Engagement

Emotional intelligence (EQ) has become a cornerstone of effective leadership. It encompasses the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, empathize with others, and navigate interpersonal relationships with intention and care. For leaders, honing emotional intelligence is not just a personal pursuit—it’s a critical skill that drives team success and fosters meaningful connections. While ... Read more

Why Every Leader Needs a Learning Community: Accessing Resources that Drive Success

Leadership can be a rewarding, yet challenging, journey. Leaders are often expected to have answers, provide direction, and inspire their teams—all while navigating the complexities of today’s fast-paced world. But even the most accomplished leaders need support, fresh perspectives, and a space to grow. Learning communities, like True You Collective, offer a unique environment where leaders ... Read more

The Art of Giving Constructive Feedback: Balancing Criticism and Encouragement

Effective leadership hinges on the ability to deliver feedback that not only addresses areas for improvement but also motivates and encourages team members to perform at their best. However, mastering the art of giving constructive feedback—the balance between being honest about shortcomings and supportive enough to inspire action—is a nuanced skill. When done right, feedback improves ... Read more