* How Cyber-Savvy are Daring Doctors? A Techno Tip

* Feature Article: How to Toot Your Own Horn for Advancement

  How Cyber-Savvy Are Daring Doctors? 

Here I am with my Platinum Program client, Dr. Dana Carpenter (on the right), an Ob-Gyn physician and healthcare media advisor--"Dr. Dana".  She took our picture with the built-in webcam on her iMac notebook during our Client Strategy meeting last month.

When it comes to technology, I find that physicians are "all over the map."  A few are super-savvy, but most are cyber-challenged when it comes to business and marketing uses of technology.  

There are definitely a few "technology tricks" you need to learn when it comes to career advancement, expansion--and to avoid embarrassing yourself in a new business role.  Right now I am instructing one of my Mastermind Groups how to record audio programs directly into their computer.  Several of my clients are registering their web domain names for the first time. Three are setting up blogs. One will be going through a short tutorial on how to write a memo on Word.

But this is the biggest techno-tip I teach: Never let technology hold you back!  Your creativity and courage (that's where Dr. Dana absolutely excels!) are the real engines that will propel you forward.  

Sincerely cyber,    ---- Francine

  Daring Doctors Feature Article

Are you feeling overlooked in your leadership position, or underappreciated in your clinical role?  It could be that you have to learn  . . . 

How to 'Toot Your Own Horn' for Attention, Advancement or New Assignments

by Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE, Executive and Career Coach for Physicians

A challenge I see among many physicians and non-physicians alike is hesitancy to "toot your own horn" about your accomplishments, ambitions, ideas and aspirations.  

At the same time, this is a number one lament among both my clients and other physicians I've worked with: We just don't get the attention we want!

We are irritated and frustrated when someone gets the credit for our ideas.  We avoid asking a supervisor or chief for a change in our clinical hours, or a more equitable financial compensation.  We grumble under our breath about having to play second banana to a medical director with less experience.  

How can you step up and ask for the attention you deserve without feeling like a sycophant? 

Yes, You Have Ideas and Ambitions and That's Good! 

One the most important steps to asking for and getting the credit, getting the "nod," or being awarded promotion you crave is first, be honest with yourself about the fact that you WANT attention and advancement, and that wanting it is not an "evil inclination."   

Your mother may have told you it's not polite to ask, but when it comes to business, leadership and career advancement, you have to let people know what you're thinking and where you see yourself going (forward, up, ahead!).  Silence is not golden. 

By asking for additional responsibilities, or a promotion, or consideration for a position, you automatically signal to those in authority that you VALUE yourself highly enough to merit whatever it is you seek.

There's an old saying:  there's genius in boldness!

Align Your Ambitions With the Organization's Goals

So mustering up the courage to admit you deserve what you crave is the first step.  Next you must craft your "request" and I suggest you include two critical components in your "script":  

One last tip:  Don't take "no" or "there is no opportunity right now" for an answer.  At least not the "final answer."  Making your request puts you in the "radar" screen of those in power who can help you advance and improve.  If you get the feedback that "you're not ready" or "you don't have the requisite experience" then be bold again and request that you be given assignments or mentoring to get you ready.

Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE, is an Executive and Career Coach for Physicians.  Dr. Gaillour specializes in helping physicians who are venturing into new territory as leaders, entrepreneurs, and career adventurers. She can be reached at (206) 686-4205, francine@physicianleadership.com or use the Contact Form

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Executive coach, consultant and author, Francine R. Gaillour, MD  is the "Career Strategist for Doctors."  Dr. Gaillour delivers strategies, tactics, and tools that physicians never learned in medical training to achieve professional fulfillment, career advancement, and life abundance.  To learn more about her upcoming book, The Joyful Doctor, and to sign up for more FREE articles like this, visit her site at www.PhysicianLeadership.com.