Who are the leaders?
Now that the call for nominations for election
to the three pharmacy boards for England, Scotland and Wales has been heard (7 October, p432), members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society have a good opportunity to think about professional leadership and what it means to them.
People who lead the profession might be defined as those who are elected
to the Society’s Council or who represent any of the pharmacy organisations,
such as the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, the National
Pharmacy Association or the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists. Without
doubt they are pharmacy politicians but are they the only leaders of
the profession? What about those pharmacists who are leading-edge practitioners — pharmacists
who are key figures in the UK Clinical Pharmacists Association, for example,
pharmacists who are supplementary prescribers in a particular specialty,
or pharmacists who are members of the faculties of the College of Pharmacy
Practice? And do not overlook those hoping to become consultant pharmacists
in the next 12 months or to be recognised as a PhwSI (a pharmacist with
a special interest). Are they not leaders of the profession, too?
What style of leadership do you prefer? Is it somebody who makes difficult
decisions on your behalf and who, by definition, cannot always be popular?
Or do you look for someone who is a consensus politician, who seeks to
keep as many people as possible happy?
Is your preference somebody who leads by example or who pushes from behind?
Do you look for someone who is articulate and charismatic? Do you want
someone who is highly regarded within pharmacy circles or who has a reputation
beyond pharmacy?
All these are aspects of professional leadership, and this list is by
no means exhaustive. Some pharmacists who are influential at a local
level, or who move and shake in non-political pharmacy organisations,
will be able to perform equally effectively on the national stage. Are
you one of those or do you know one of them? How can you be persuaded
to become involved with the boards?
The establishment of the national boards provides an opportunity for
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who previously might not have thought
professional leadership was for them to consider becoming involved. With
the development of new roles throughout the professions it is time to
stand up and make a difference.
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