Leading Self | Information and Wellness Portal

The work of a leader is based on an understanding of how your own mindset, beliefs, values, and intentions contribute to behaviours that define you as a leader. Self-leadership encompasses the critical role of self-awareness and reflective practice, as well as taking responsibility for your own performance and demonstrating competence in emotional intelligence. This page provides resources to help leaders explore the impact of their own emotions, values, intentions, and assumptions on their sense of reality and on the people around them.

Introductory Video Resources:

Video Lecture & Discussion Guide

Know Your Strengths, Own Your Strengths
In this lecture, discussion guide, and practice video package, Marcus Buckingham explores strengths-based management and leadership. This resource is made available through leanin.org.

TED Talks

Working hard but not improving? You're not alone. Eduardo Briceño reveals a simple way to think about getting better at the things you do, whether that's work, parenting or creative hobbies. And he shares some useful techniques so you can keep learning and always feel like you're moving forward.

Why we all need to practice emotional first aid
Too many of us deal with common psychological-health issues on our own, says Guy Winch. But we don’t have to. He makes a compelling case to practice emotional hygiene — taking care of our emotions, our minds, with the same diligence we take care of our bodies.
The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown studies human connection—our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
The power of introverts
In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.
In defense of extroverts
Katherine Lucas is an extrovert — but to her surprise, her cheerful smiles and warm approach gave others the impression that she was less intelligent and lacked leadership skills. Lucas identifies different types of extroverts and argues that the workplace needs them all.

Books at the Health Sciences Library

CanMEDS physician health guide : a practical handbook for physician health and well-being by Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (2009): Medicine can be a very rewarding career but it is also a very demanding profession. As this guide shows the hazards to physician health are wide ranging – from poor nutrition to problems with finances to stress management – these are the issues that can and do affect all physicians at some stage in their careers.
Emotional intelligence : why it can matter more than IQ by Daniel Goleman (1997): Through vivid examples, Goleman delineates the five crucial skills of emotional intelligence, and shows how they determine our success in relationships, work, and even our physical well-being. What emerges is an entirely new way to talk about being smart. The best news is that "emotional literacy" is not fixed early in life. Every parent, every teacher, every business leader, and everyone interested in a more civil society, has a stake in this compelling vision of human possibility.
The Executive and the Elephant by Richard L. Daft (2010): Often leaders know that right action is important, but have little (if any) understanding of what prevents them from acting in accordance with their intentions. In this important book, leadership expert Richard Daft portrays this dilemma as a struggle between instinct (elephant) and intention (the executive) using the most current research on the intentional vs. the habitual mind to explain how this phenomenon occurs.
Gifts Differing by Isabel B. Myers; Peter B. Myers (1995): Gifts Differing by Isabel B. Myers; Peter B. Myers (1995): Written by the creators of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator(R), this book explains the essential personality types and their practical significance in your daily life; in school, at a job, in a career, or in your personal relationships.
Giving voice to values : how to speak your mind when you know what's right by Mary C. Gentile (2010): This book assists with personal understanding of how to identify, name, assess, and act on one’s values in the workplace. While set in a business context, much of what is discussed is relevant for health care. Several of the appendices are quite useful for summarizing key points in the book and for offering tools/questions for self- and team-exploration of values.
Great leadership : what it is and what it takes in a complex world by Antony Bell (2006): Responding to the growing demand for leadership that is both competent and principled, Antony Bell offers an easy-to-grasp, workable framework that gets to the heart of what defines greatness: knowledge, skills, and talents combined with the inner qualities of a leader that drive noble actions.
I'm not crazy, I'm just not you : the real meaning of the 16 personality types by Roger R. Pearman; Sarah C. Albritton (2010): I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You teaches us how to overcome our natural inclination to judge difference in order to recognize and celebrate it, even across generational and cultural divides.
Introduction to type and leadership by Sharon Lebovitz Richmond (2008): Introduction to Type® and Leadership offers a unique Leadership Map that helps leaders chart their own course to becoming even more effective.
Lost Virtue by Nuala Kenny (Editor); Wayne Shelton (Editor) (2006): Adopting a personal view of bioethics by examining the physician, this book discusses character formation, ethics, professional character, and other concepts. It also addresses the interpersonal aspects of physicians and the importance of character.
Mastering leadership : an integrated framework for breakthrough performance and extraordinary business results by Anderson, Robert J. & Adams, W. A. (Bill) (2016): In Mastering Leadership, Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams argue that in order for organizations to generate extraordinary results, leaders must first transform their values, emotional intelligence, and decision-making systems. To that end, the authors provide an integrative framework, known as the Universal Model of Leadership, designed to help leaders evolve both their competencies and their consciousness. They assert that only by changing their worldviews can leaders create and sustain groundbreaking organizations.
Own the Room by Amy Jen Su; Muriel Maignan Wilkins (2013): People are drawn to and influenced by leaders who communicate authentically, connect easily with people, and have immediate impact. So how do you become one of them? How can you learn to "own the room"? This book will help you develop your leadership presence.
Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine (2012): In his popular Stanford University lectures, Shirzad Chamine reveals how to achieve one's true potential for both professional success and personal fulfillment. His groundbreaking research exposes ten well-disguised mental Saboteurs.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (1990): Stephen R. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity -- principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.
Who Are You? the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator and Personality Types by Stuart Sloan (2011): Learn more about this important assessment and the personality types associated with it.