Building emotional intelligence

Second-year medicine student Dane Paris attended the AAMC RISE Leadership Conference in June. The seminar focuses on four core areas: Relationships, Influence, Self-awareness and Effectiveness. Paris shared his reflections on the experience with The Pulse: 

AAMC’s RISE: Developing Future Leaders in Academic Medicine and Science is a comprehensive initiative aiming to prepare aspiring physicians for leadership roles within their academic, research and professional settings. I was impressed by the inclusion of a multifaceted curriculum which encompassed many different angles of leadership. We were able to examine these aspects by engaging in interactive workshops, seminars, networking events and mentorship opportunities.

Looking back on the program, I will remember multiple insightful and motivational speakers who were willing to share their expertise and experiences of their own leadership journeys. However, the most memorable session, and the cornerstone of the program, focused on the intricacies of emotional intelligence. We were encouraged to evaluate and reflect on our own toolbox of skills pertaining to emotional IQ so that we could accentuate areas of strength and weakness. We then were able to thoroughly divulge our results with our peers and begin having vulnerable discussions about what our results mean and where to pivot from our current position.

It was these kinds of intelligent and open-minded interactions that enriched the entire experience. One of the best parts of the program, as a whole, was AAMC’s ability to create a collaborative and supportive environment that encouraged all participants to exchange ideas, build new relationships and engage in meaningful discussions. The opportunity to interact with like-minded peers that are focused on individual and community-wide growth provided access to the development of a new supportive professional network that spans across the country.

My motivation for attending this conference stemmed from my own belief in a growth mindset. I believe self-reflection and a desire to continuously learn and improve upon oneself is one of the most important daily practices a person can have. This conference took that practice to the next level by providing detailed explanations of skills, real-world lessons and actionable next steps for personal growth. I look forward to employing the methods demonstrated through this program, whether it is using effective communication and strategic thinking to navigate complex situations, understanding of management and innovation to contribute to advancements in medicine, reflecting on and sharing experiences to mentor future generations of medicine, or any of the other many skills that we worked to refine during this time.

For any students that are considering similar programs, my advice would be to seize any opportunity that promises to engage in your professional development and networking opportunities as early as possible. Programs like RISE offer an endless cache of knowledge and connections that have the ability to alter the trajectory of your career, if used in the right way. It is important to extend beyond our own comfort zones and be proactive in seeking opportunities for growth. As a final note, I am reminded of one of the main themes propounded by this experience: In the moments we feel inadequate, it is not that we cannot have the skills we desire, it is only that we have not developed those skills yet.