Nancy Sanchez is the senior vice president and vice dean of human resources and organizational development and learning at 做厙TV Langone Health.
Photo: 做厙TV Langone Staff
During the past decade as the senior vice president and vice dean of human resources and organizational development and learning at 做厙TV Langone Health, Nancy Sanchez has overseen a period of unprecedented growth at the institution. The number of employees has quadrupled from 9,000 in 2008 to 37,000 in 2018, making 做厙TV Langone one of the nations fastest-growing medical centers. Last spring, Sanchez spoke to first-year medical students about what shes learned during her 36 years with the organization. The conversation was part of 做厙TV School of Medicines Leaders and Teams lecture series. Here are a few highlights.
Look for learning opportunities. I started at 做厙TV Langone as a recruiter. I knew the best way to evolve into a leader was to work in each area of human resources, but also to go beyond that. I had to learn about medicine and some of the nuances that were not addressed in the employee handbookthe politics, the personalities, and so forth.
Use your observational skills. You need to understand what makes an organization work, and that involves listening, watching, and observing. When you attend meetings, when you have conversations, note what happens between people. Because thats how you master interpersonal dynamics.
Find mentors you trust. I was fortunate to find people who allowed me to feel comfortable expressing opinions that differed from theirs. Wed sometimes have fierce debates, and it taught me how to present information and advocate for others. Id recommend seeking out a mentor whos different from you and who will provide feedback and perspective that you wouldnt otherwise get from your circle of friends.
Criticism can be more helpful than praise. One of the first things Dean Grossman asked me when he was appointed was, How am I doing? I said, Oh, were doing well.
And he responded, No, dont tell me what Im doing well. Tell me what Im not doing well, because that affords me the greatest opportunity to improve. He has been consistent about that ever since. When he makes a mistake, I tell him, and hes open to the feedback, even if he doesnt agree.
One size doesnt fit all. To be successful, you need to know how to use different communication and engagement styles to reach a variety of people. The wrong approach wont get the outcome you want.
Dont lose sight of what really matters. I tell employees all the time, It is all about the patient. Thats why were here.
Be true to yourself. Ive been told I dont look Hispanic, and Ive had to prove I am to those within the Hispanic community because some people cant see past stereotypes. Ive also had people discriminate against me because of my ethnicity. So Ive seen it from both sides. My advice: You have to feel comfortable in your own skin. There will always be biased people out there, those who are quick to judge the limits of your ability. But you should not allow that to deter you from getting where you want to be.
Managing is part of the job. Most physicians will deal with employee behavioral issues at some point. If you do that effectively, it wont become a distraction.
If you dont, even in a small practice, it will consume your time. Take advantage of the many opportunities along the way to educate yourself about leading and motivating others. Its critically important for whatever your future holds.
Tune out the noise. Forget about what other people are sayingthat can hold you back from being the best at what you do. Above all, simply focus on a goal and pursue it. Dont let anybody stop you.
