What I Learned as Resident-Fellow Member Trustee
Abstract
The end of this year’s annual meeting marks the end of my tenure on the Board of Trustees. I can’t believe that it’s almost over—my first meeting does not seem so very long ago, and I’m no less excited about the position now than I was then. It has been an incredible experience, and I have discovered so much about the organization, about leadership, and about myself. Looking back, here are some things I’ve learned.
Setting a frame and sticking to it is as important for a meeting as a therapy session. This goes beyond having an agenda. It means having a sense of time and giving everyone an equal chance to speak but moving along when necessary, even if the discussion isn’t over. A meeting serves the purpose of the organization, not its leader—and should be run accordingly.
People want to hear what we have to say, and they take us seriously. Being junior does not mean you’re treated as a kid who is just along for the ride. You bring a unique perspective that is essential for the future of our APA, and people will listen. What that means is that you should speak up. It also means that you should do so in a way that is worthy of the respect and attention you’re given. Listen carefully, so that when you speak, you are adding something new and valuable to the conversation. Do your homework before meetings and bullet-point out your thoughts (in advance, or in the moment) so that you can be concise and to the point. And skip the self-effacement. Don’t discount your opinion when you are asking others to give it weight.
Surround yourself with passionate people. Even when you are passionate about different things, sharing that kind of excitement and drive creates a climate where ideas grow and flourish and can help to push something from idea to implementation faster than you could have imagined. The people that I have met over the past two years are some of the most passionate, intellectually curious, devoted, generous people I know, and it is truly a privilege to have them as colleagues and friends.
When we pull together as an organization, we are powerful. Issues of mental health and mental illness are still surrounded by so much stigma, and the public discourse can be discouraging. But in just the past few months, we have had an impact in pushing forward legislation on veterans mental health and the repeal of the sustainable growth rate formula, and we have joined with other organizations in a national campaign to change the conversation about mental health. Physicians, legislators, and the public are looking for a direction on mental health, and we are in a unique position to provide it.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as the resident-fellow member trustee, and the impact it has had on me cannot be overstated. I want to thank all of you for giving me this opportunity. And one last thing that I have learned is that I will stay involved. As I grow and change through my career, that involvement may change, but I am confident that I will continue to be an active member of the community that is our APA. ■
