The new generation of healthcare professionals in Africa is growing and learning in a world that is very different and complex.

The world has undergone significant changes, and healthcare is experiencing substantial transformations, particularly in healthcare leadership.

In an ultra-modern world where advanced technology is rapidly changing how healthcare is practised and delivered, a lot is expected from healthcare professionals of this age, especially in Africa.

Leadership is becoming an important topic in the healthcare ecosystem.

We’re beginning to understand that to truly make a difference in our lives as professionals, in the healthcare ecosystem, and in the lives of patients and those we serve, we must think like leaders.

Leaders don’t just think about themselves; they think about the people around them and how they can contribute to improving the systems they find themselves in.

Healthcare professionals in Africa must start thinking like leaders and step outside the box of what healthcare has been made to look like over the years.

Leadership isn’t reserved for “those who lead”; it’s meant for everybody, everywhere.

All professionals must understand the importance of leadership and learn to imbibe the culture of leadership in their respective professional endeavours.

Healthcare professionals are generally relatively new (maybe) to the concept of leadership, especially in Africa, where advanced leadership ideas have been introduced only recently to early-career healthcare professionals.

Though professionals who have managed to study to an advanced level, like masters, doctoral or other advanced levels may already understand leadership, the ones who are still coming up may not know what leadership is or looks like, though thankfully we’ve started seeing the idea of leadership being introduced into starting career curriculums and this change is part of what that is driving the recent healthcare leadership revolution we’re seeing in Africa–we need to talk more about it so that more healthcare professionals know what leadership looks like and what to do to become leaders in their respective domains.

Young healthcare professionals in this modern age who are just starting their careers need to understand how to nurture the leader within.

It is very easy for them to be overloaded with all the stress a healthcare career brings–the long duties, emotional stress, and academic rigours that are peculiar to a healthcare career.

The strategies I will be sharing will help you understand leadership and create a future for yourself.

You’ll see yourself as part of the solution and think beyond the problem.

Instead of complaining, you’ll think of how to work better and contribute in your own way to the system.

You see, there are no perfect systems anywhere.

As long as systems are made up of people, there will always be weaknesses, loopholes, and room for improvement, and the people who create solutions to these problems are those who are always found at the top leading.

Know That You Have The Capacity

It doesn’t matter what you’ve studied in school, you’ve the capacity for leadership in you.

Leadership isn’t a position; it’s a mindset which, by constant and deliberate nurturing, becomes a lifestyle, and anyone who nurtures the leader in their hearts will surely grow to become a leader.

Leadership is all about the desire to grow inwards and outwards as a professional, and the more we expose healthcare professionals to leadership, the better our healthcare systems become, because healthcare professionals begin to think differently.

It’s no longer just a job or profession to them but a way of making the healthcare ecosystem a better place.

Develop Pure Vision And Mission

Know where you’re going.

As you’re just starting, ensure you develop a mental map of where you want to go.

This mental map is created with your interests and passions in mind and will instruct you on where you invest your attention and resources.

If you want to remain in the clinical world, you should know what you should be doing. If you want to venture into academia and research, start developing a mental map for yourself, researching what and what you need to be doing to prepare for that future.

Have An Open Heart To Learn

Always look for ways of learning new things in your field of practice.

Stay curious at all times. This is what makes a good healthcare professional. In the healthcare ecosystem, there are always new things happening–policies, new technologies, etc. Ensure you’re learning everything!

Ask questions, lots of them.

Your seniors and superiors have got experience you can learn a lot from–ask them questions and extract wisdom from them.

Don’t be afraid or shy to ask questions.

You’re just starting and would need all the wisdom there is to make your journey smooth.

Develop Skills To Distinguish Yourself

Don’t remain in the general pool! Strive to develop skills that will make you a super-specialist in your field.

Healthcare is wide and it keeps expanding.

There are numerous specialities and sub-specialities, and even branches in sub-specialities.

Pick one that interests you and learn the skills needed.

Create The Right Leadership Relationships

Select your association carefully. There are people who will continually inspire and encourage you to keep growing. I call them leadership relationships.

Don’t get attached to people who’re not going to add anything to your life and career.

Cut relationships that don’t add anything to you. It’s a decision that will change your life.

Be Part Of Communities That Inspire, Motivate And Educate You

Search for professional communities that encourage growth, innovation and leadership.

Join professional clubs that challenge you to keep growing and getting better as a professional.

Volunteering is another way you can be part of professional communities that align with your professional goals.

If you’re interested in advocacy, seek to become part of professional communities that advocate.

In those communities, you will see people like you who are growing. You will also see people who are where you want to be as a young professional.

Follow Mentors Who Are Where You Want To Be

I can’t overemphasise how important mentorship is for career growth and development.

Having a good mentor by your side will make your professional journey super smooth.

They can point you in the direction to go and steer you away from decisions that will only waste your time.

Look for mentors in your field of interest or speciality. Connect with them and learn from them.

Don’t Be Scared Of Change

Change is constant, and it can come at any point. There are many healthcare professionals who started in one healthcare field and, along the line, decided to pivot to something else.

If you discover that you feel like doing something else, just ensure you’re sure about how you feel, get enough advice and mentorship and take the step.

Don’t be scared of change.

Change can also come in different ways.

It may not be about entirely changing fields; it could be in any other area.

Embrace it. The ability to embrace change is a quality of a good leader.

Embrace Failure When It Comes

I like talking about failure because I feel it’s one of the most effective ways to learn certain things in life.

As a young professional, there will be seasons where you’ve to deal with failure. It comes in different shapes, sizes, colours and magnitudes.

When it comes, embrace and learn from it.

Failure is not meant to kill you, but reveal your weakness and where you need to improve and get better.

Take Research Seriously

This one will stand you out!

Take research seriously.

You may not be interested in becoming an academic, but having at least a strong fundamental understanding of research culture will single you out from the crowd, and starting early in your career gives you a solid foundation as a healthcare professional.

Search for research communities within your healthcare ecosystem and join them.

Be involved with research projects and learn how to conduct research in your field.

Develop An Innovative Mindset

Think like an innovator.

Innovation is all about thinking differently.

There’s so much opportunity in healthcare.

Opportunities to improve the lives of people, but only those who can think differently will be able to see these opportunities.

As you are starting your professional journey, make up your mind to think differently.

To think out of the box.

To not just think linearly but horizontally and all around 360!

Nobody is born a natural innovator. We learn it. You can learn to think differently and make it your lifestyle.

Go Digital!

The future is digital. Happily, it won’t be too difficult for the new generation of healthcare professionals to imbibe a digital culture.

There just needs to be effective structures in place to bring them the right community and education, and this is what we’re building at Carecode Digital Health Hub.

Stay Healthy

You need your health to pursue your career goals.

Don’t think you’re young, so your body won’t mind you treating it poorly.

Imbibing a culture of staying healthy as a young professional will follow you as you grow older, and follow you way into your career and life in general.

Nuture Productive Habits

Always ensure you’ve a solid planning system in place. Learn to prioritise. It’s the little things you do every day that bring you closer to your goals, and the little things you don’t take that take you far away from them.

Learn how to manage stress because it will always be there. You can’t avoid it. Stress can be dealt with the right way. Avoid trying to deal with stress in harmful ways. Instead, learn how to manage it the healthy way.

Productive habits are the daily things you do that help you preserve your productivity.

Things as simple as eating properly, having enough rest, taking care of your mental health and regular exercise.

The earlier you learn these things as a young professional, and they become a part of you, the better for you.

In conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of young healthcare professionals in Africa is one that requires a proactive approach to leadership and continuous learning.

By nurturing the leader within, developing a clear vision, and embracing curiosity, these professionals can significantly impact the healthcare ecosystem.

As they equip themselves with specialised skills and a mindset geared toward growth and improvement, they will not only enhance their careers but also contribute to the betterment of the healthcare systems they serve.

The future of healthcare in Africa holds great potential, and by stepping into leadership roles, young professionals will play a crucial part in shaping that future.