Today, there are a number of opportunities for case managers to demonstrate their leadership skills: in the work setting; as a mentor for new professionals who enter into the practice or a professional organization; as a member of a committee; or as a member of a board of directors.
Currently, the Case Management Society of America is accepting applications to serve on its own Board of Directors. To gain an understanding of what this position entails, as well as the value of strong leadership, I talked with Peter Moran, the Immediate Past President of the Case Management Society of America and the 2008-09 Nomination Chair. Below is our conversation.
What has being a leader in CMSA meant to you professionally and personally?
Case management is my passion. I honestly enjoy being a case manager and facilitating patient flow across the continuum of care. I became a case manager because I honestly feel we can make a difference. I became involved in my local chapter of the Case Management Society of New England (CMSNE) as part of a startup operation in Maine. CMSNE allowed me to meet colleagues from across the continuum and allowed me the opportunity to network, share ideas and resources, and to learn from peers.
I am and have always been a staff case manager. In the past, I would question my ability to lead as I would look to others in positions of authority as being more knowledgeable and better prepared to lead. I have been blessed throughout my career to have had great mentors who encouraged me to aim higher and who were willing to share their learned wisdom and who supported me and offered encouragement.
What are some of the leadership traits you gained and hope to see in others who enter the practice of case management?
I believe one needs to have a dream, a vision for case management — what it is and what they want it to be. A leader needs to be able to not only share that vision but to obtain buy-in from others. In many ways we need to show others what is possible. A leader needs to be able to listen and hear what is being said amongst all the chatter. Leaders need to encourage and empower others to make decisions and assume responsibility.
A leader needs to be able to communicate to a variety of constituencies: patients, healthcare providers, business partners, the public, regulators, policy makers, publications and others in such a way that the message is clear, consistent and easily understood
A leader needs to be able to make decisions, accept criticism and confront people when appropriate. Being a leader sometimes means making unpopular decisions which are in the best interest of the organization.
A leader needs to be genuine, open and transparent. They need to be able to build trust and follow through with their commitments. A leader needs to be able to ask for advice and assistance when necessary and if they make a mistake acknowledge it, apologize and move on. A leader needs to stay grounded in reality. They need to be able to negotiate, facilitate, build coalitions, delegate and mentor others to follow in their steps. Most of all, a leader needs to be able to have fun. They need to be able to laugh at themselves and be open to growth.
What type of leader does CMSA seek to help address challenges within the practice?
We need people who are passionate about case management. We need people with business skills, negotiation skills and those who understand the issues confronting case managers, whether clinical, political, financial, contractual, legal and the list goes on.
We need case managers who can give us validated outcomes studies which measure the impact of case management services. Does every leader need to have every one of these skill sets? Of course not. But it is my belief that they need to have a good overview of the issues, and if they are not an expert in a particular area they need to know where they can get the resources they need.
What resources do you recommend professionals use to improve their leadership skills?
I believe we need more case managers with advanced academic degrees who are part of the academic establishment and familiar with academic research. I encourage people to find mentors and ask that they pursue a formal mentoring program so they can learn from people they admire or who excel at skill sets they would like to acquire.
Jackie Birmingham, Nancy Skinner, Sandy Lowery and others were people who mentored me, and for that I am quite grateful. We should encourage people to take advantage of leadership training workshops, motivational interviewing trainings, fiscal courses and human resource classes.
How would you recommend that those interested in leadership positions get involved with CMSA?
I think people should start at their local chapters. Volunteer for a committee, run for office or a board position and see what works for you. I started as a co-chair of my chapter’s Maine extension. From there I became a board member and then moved on to vice president and then to president. As president, I was elected to the national board as the representative for the Chapter President’s Council.
I enjoyed my term as Chapter President’s Council Representative and ran for a seat on the National Board and was elected. My involvement with CMSA has given me opportunities I would never have had as a solitary staff case manager stuck in my isolated silo. I have met with industry leaders, been able to encourage case managers to better balance the business of case management with the art and science of case management. I have encouraged people to tell their stories as, although I agree we need to be able to give the business equation regarding case management, it is equally as important that we tell our stories as the impact of our stories cannot be underestimated.
To get involved in the Case Management Society of America, join one of the 72 local chapters throughout the United States and get involved. Serve on a committee and help your chapter recruit and retain members. If you are in an area that does not have a local chapter, connect with Michelle Lee from Member Relations (mlee@acminet.com). She can assist you with resources for chapter development. If you have served on your local board and you are ready to step up to a National Leadership position, consider running for a national office. To learn more, go to www.cmsa.org to learn about the positions open, the requirements and the deadlines to apply to be considered on the ballot that will elected leaders for the 2009-10 term of office.
Have a great week,