Pharmacy U news

As part of the duties of being a pharmacist, our job involves helping people when they are not at their best. Empathetically recognizing that they carry burdens with their visits to see us is the first step to being the helper (as bystander) instead of a combatant fighting against them. They do not necessarily mean to fight us, but we are just sometimes in their way. It is our job to recognize that and manage it.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m just a pharmacist,” or “I’m just a technician”? When we define ourselves by limitations, we fail to see the options that could move us forward. It’s almost as if staying stuck feels safer than exploring the unknown.

Labour shortages have been a fact of life for generations. Complicating this situation is the significant upset in staff availability over the holidays. So how do you plan your pharmacy staffing for the holiday season?

One critical leadership lesson I’ve learned is this: if you want others to confidently follow, you must show them how your vision connects to their success. By addressing concerns, painting a vivid picture of the benefits, and actively listening, I helped my team see the value—and ultimately, say yes. As a result, the profession of pharmacy is better off, and importantly, so is patient care.

We are unique. Pharmacists are their own kind, and we lack a band of unity where we can vent, share ideas and correct each other when going off-path. The result is a feeling of being somewhat isolated. Since we cannot exactly place our identities within the groups of people around us, we can feel different and often lack a suitable like-minded partner to support us as we navigate and process the day.

While we may not always be on our game as pharmacy leaders, we need to understand that we are mentors whether we like it or not. Our actions, words and behaviours automatically serve as examples of what we expect from others.

To successfully acquire a pharmacy, you need to collect adequate information from reputable sources, understand the regulatory environment and sources of revenue, utilize trusted professionals, and be wary of irrational enthusiasm.

I’m not sure when, or where, or from whom I stole the phrase “eagles who fly in formation.” But, as a teenager, I certainly learned the foundation of successful leadership as a Little League coach and then running restaurants and leading independent retail pharmacies.