The Medical Affairs leadership development team works to provide physician leaders with resources and supports to improve their leadership effectiveness to respond to system challenges and improve the quality of patient care.
Executive Coaching
Medical Affairs: Making a Difference in the Coaches Corner
Co-Active coaching is an experiential and interactive process focused on building core leadership and relationship skills. It emphasizes the coach and coachee working together to create a difference. This coaching approach involves one-on-one interactions in a safe and confidential space, either in person, by phone, or virtually. Sessions are typically one hour, held bi-weekly for 3-6 months, personalized to the participant’s goals. The coaching journey challenges the coachee's comfort zone to explore possibilities for personal growth and improvement.
Coaching aims to enhance communication skills, foster trust and collaboration, and develop overall capacity for meaningful impacts and positive cultural change. It utilizes assessment tools to identify strengths and growth areas and involves powerful questions that provoke deep reflection, drive action, and encourage accountability. The coaching experience helps individuals respond thoughtfully in challenging situations, aligning their intentions with effective communication and behavior to make a positive impact on the world around them.
In the world of healthcare leadership, the role of coaching has gained significant importance in facilitating personal and professional development. This one-page document introduces you to a trio of dedicated coaches—Lorie and Verna—working in Medical Affairs to empower leaders and physicians to become their best selves, drive change, and create a positive impact on Nova Scotia Health. Here's a closer look at their unique coaching approaches and the value they bring.
Assessments and Tools
Leadership capability assessments provide important data concerning an individual and their context. We utilize various assessment tools to help our clients gain self-awareness and an understanding of where they are now: current strengths, level of current performance or leader effectiveness, and primary development needs. Leadership assessments are designed to help you reflect on what changes you want to make and to help you create a leadership development plan.
Coaching Intake Process and Form
1. Initial Connection:
- Connect to Coaches via Cold Call or Introduction:/Referral: The process begins when a potential client connects with coaches (phone call/email).
- Complete Intake Form: The client completes an intake form to provide initial details.
2. Triage Coaching Request:
- Leadership Development Team: The coaching request is triaged by the leadership development team, and a leadership coach is assigned to the client.
3. Intake Meeting:
- Consultation (30 to 60 min): Initial consultation meeting is booked. A "Welcome to Coaching" questionnaire and a mini contract/agreement are sent to the client before the first meeting.
4. First Coaching Session:
- 1st Coaching Session (60 min): During the first session, the questionnaire and agreement are discussed, and a customized plan is devised for the client.
5. Assessment and Coaching:
- The process continues with assessment and ongoing coaching sessions. These sessions typically occur every two weeks for one hour each.
- Coaching Commitment: The minimum commitment is 3 months, with an optimal duration of 6 to 12 months.
6. Milestones Review:
- Midway Review: Halfway through the coaching timeline, the coaching questionnaire is reviewed, goals are reassessed, and new goals are developed as needed.
7. Continuation or Conclusion:
- End Session: Coaching sessions continue as per the agreed timeline until the session ends.
Closure of Coaching: The coaching relationship is formally closed, and an evaluation is conducted.
- Check-in Connection (On-Going – 4x Year): Post-coaching, the coach checks in with the client four times a year to maintain the connection.
8. Possible New Round:
- Request for New Round of Coaching: If needed, the client can request a new round of coaching, starting the process over.
Additional Notes:
- Coaches utilize a variety of resources, including online tools, coaching activities, articles, research papers, podcasts, and webinars to support the coaching process.
- The coaching conversation is strictly confidential and adheres to the Code of Ethics through the International Coach Federation.
This process is designed to optimize performance, support leadership development, improve team dynamics, and advance careers.
Leadership Coaching Intake Form
Physician Leadership Onboarding Program
This asynchronous, self-study program is approved by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 25 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits.
Housed in the Brightspace Learning Management System, the program offers Nova Scotia Health physicians stepping into leadership roles an opportunity to access timely and relevant topics focusing on Nova Scotia Health and the broader health care ecosystem in Nova Scotia. By providing flexible, accessible programming that physicians can complete on their own time—via phone or laptop—this initiative supports our goal of meeting physician leaders where they are and helping build confidence and leadership capacity in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
How to Sign Up
If you're considering a physician leadership role—or have recently stepped into one—reach out to Jane Bolivar, Manager, Physician Learning, Development and Support, at JaneE.Bolivar@nshealth.ca to arrange a login.
Listen to our Podcast!
Welcome to Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership, a podcast presented by Medical Affairs at Nova Scotia Health. Hosted by Physician Executive Leadership Coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald, this series explores the intersection of leadership and healthcare. Join us as we share strategies, stories, and practical tools to empower physicians to thrive as impactful leaders. Whether you're navigating challenges, seeking professional growth, or aiming to enhance your leadership journey, this podcast offers the guidance you need to succeed.
Listen to episode here: Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
