Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast

Dr. Stacey Ishman
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The Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast is a hybrid-style career coaching show designed to help you navigate—and thrive in—the world of academic medicine. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Ishman, this podcast delivers actionable advice to propel your career forward in this demanding yet rewarding field. Dr. Stacey Ishman is an ENT surgeon and sleep medicine physician who has published more than 220 peer-reviewed articles, worked on multiple NIH grants, served on the boards of three national and international organizations, and devoted the past two decades to mentoring and coaching early-career physicians. Each episode dives into practical topics like goal-setting, skill development, mentorship, and work-life integration—all tailored to the realities of your first 10 years in academic medicine. You’ll get real-world answers to questions such as: ➤ How do you build a clinical and academic career and gain national recognition in your field? ➤ How do you get on the program—or the committee? ➤ How do you get published? ➤ How do you find the right mentors and coaches to accelerate your success? ➤ How do you integrate work with the life you actually want? If any of those questions resonate, this show is for you. Join Stacey as she shares the very strategies she used to become a full professor, speak on stages worldwide, and publish widely—all while staying grounded in what matters most. Tune in to the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast for expert guidance, insider insights, and the support you need to take the next step in your career.

  1. Turning Busyness into Promotion - Build a Clear Career Story from the Start

    3D AGO

    Turning Busyness into Promotion - Build a Clear Career Story from the Start

    Turning Busyness into Promotion - Build a Clear Career Story from the Start In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores why so many early-career physicians feel constantly busy yet still disconnected from meaningful progress. She explains how the real challenge isn’t time — it’s the absence of a clear priority system. Through practical examples and a simple framework, she shows how aligning daily work with long-term goals can restore momentum, clarity, and career satisfaction. No need to take notes — check out the blog for a concise summary of these insights. If you are interested in learning more about building a focused, promotable career path, you can DM on Instagram @sishmancoach or email staceyishmancoach@gmail.com . Key Points 1. The Real Problem Isn’t Time (0:00 – 2:00) Why high-achieving physicians often feel overwhelmed despite being productive How full clinics, awards, and busy schedules can still mask a lack of progress toward long-term goals Introduction to the idea that priorities — not time — are the true constraint 2. Your Calendar Reveals Your Priorities (2:00 – 3:00) How time audits expose misalignment between goals and daily work Why giving up academic or strategic time to do more clinical work doesn’t solve systemic issues Reframing discretionary time as essential rather than optional 3. Why Everything Feels Urgent (3:00 – 5:00) How inbox-driven work turns into default task management The emotional and professional cost of letting reactive work dictate your schedule The key question: what are you doing today that moves your career forward? 4. Reactive vs. Strategic Work (5:00 – 7:00) Why reactive tasks provide immediate rewards but little long-term progress How delaying important work affects promotion timelines and career satisfaction The concept that “delay is not neutral” 5. The Three Types of Work Framework (7:00 – 10:00) Deep work: writing, thinking, strategy, and creation Collaborative work: teaching, mentoring, and teamwork Reactive work: emails, messages, and administrative tasks Why a true priority system intentionally allocates time for all three 6. Case Example: Permission to Prioritize (10:00 – 12:30) A coaching story illustrating how clarity often isn’t the issue — permission is How protected time reframed as “deep work” can transform engagement and satisfaction Aligning daily actions with what you actually care about 7. How to Reset Your Next 90 Days (12:30 – 14:00) Stop trying to fit more in — decide what deserves space Choose one primary outcome and schedule protected time for it Why priorities must be revisited regularly to stay aligned with evolving goals Summary Feeling busy isn’t the same as moving forward. In this episode, Dr. Ishman explains how many physicians unintentionally inherit other people’s priorities, allowing reactive work to crowd out meaningful progress. By identifying what truly matters, protecting time for deep work, and intentionally structuring the next 90 days, physicians can shift from constant busyness to purposeful career growth. The goal isn’t to work more — it’s to work in alignment with what you want your career to become. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app. If you’d like to get in touch or suggest future topics: ● DM on Instagram @sishmancoach ● Connect on LinkedIn at Medical Mentor Coaching ● Email staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  ● Visit www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    15 min
  2. The Inside View: A Coaching Conversation with Client Dr. Reema Padia

    FEB 11

    The Inside View: A Coaching Conversation with Client Dr. Reema Padia

    The Inside View: A Coaching Conversation with Client Dr. Reema Padia In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman welcomes her first guest, Dr. Reema Padia, a pediatric otolaryngologist at the University of Utah and Associate Professor in her seventh year of practice. Dr. Padia shares her experience transitioning to a new institution, stepping into leadership, and navigating promotion while balancing family life and personal goals. Together, they explore how coaching can support early- and mid-career physicians in building national presence, strengthening leadership skills, and creating a career that feels both meaningful and sustainable. No need to take notes—check out the Blog for a summary of these insights. If you are interested in coaching for physicians in the first 10 years of practice—whether individually or at the department level—DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email me at staceyishmancoach@gmail.com . My mission is to help you build clarity, momentum, and a personalized path to your version of success in academic medicine. Join us to intentionally shape your career. Key Points: 1. Introduction & Career Background (0:00 – 1:00) Introduction of Dr. Reema Padia Pediatric otolaryngologist at University of Utah Seventh year of practice, Associate Professor Transitioned institutions and stepped into leadership 2. Transitioning Institutions & Taking on Leadership (1:00 – 3:00) Moving across the country with two children New department, new leadership role Leading an established team as the “new person” Recognizing the need for support during major transitions 3. Building Trust as a New Leader (3:00 – 4:30) Balancing vision with humility Avoiding the urge to “change everything” immediately Focusing on relationship-building and trust Positioning herself as the “glue” rather than the disruptor 4. From Broad Emails to Targeted Conversations (4:30 – 6:30) Why “Let me know if you’re interested” often fails The power of one-on-one conversations Asking concrete, directed questions Creating buy-in through personal connection 5. Creating Structure: Retreats & Program Growth (5:00 – 6:30) Launching a vascular anomalies program retreat Scaling ideas realistically (lunch-hour retreat vs. grand event) Generating feedback with focused questions Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration 6. Surgical Coaching & Interdepartmental Coaching (6:30 – 9:30) Partnering with University of Colorado for resident coaching Benefits of cross-institutional coaching Psychological safety for residents What surgical coaching is and how it works Coaching focused on efficiency, communication, and teaching 7. Bringing Coaching to the Department Level (9:30 – 12:30) Why coaching isn’t just about promotion Accountability and implementation Faculty across career stages benefiting from coaching Strengthening academic alignment and shared goals 8. Expanding National Presence (11:30 – 13:00) Strategies for increasing visibility Committee involvement and academic networking Connecting with colleagues across subspecialties Coaching across the lifespan of academic medicine 9. Coaching Beyond Promotion (13:30 – 16:00) Coaching is not therapy—it’s forward-focused Individualized goal-setting Consistency and cadence (monthly vs. twice monthly sessions) The importance of accountability 10. Boundaries, Priorities & Work-Life Integration (16:00 – 18:30) Moving away from arbitrary promotion timelines Choosing activities aligned with genuine interest Letting go of “CV padding” Fully engaging in family time without guilt 11. Identity Outside of Medicine (18:30 – 19:30) Joining an adult recreational soccer league Building friendships outside of work Reclaiming personal identity beyond physician and parent 12. Setting Ambitious Personal Goals (19:00 – 19:45) Training for a Half Ironman Bringing colleagues along for the journey Modeling enjoyment and shared growth 13. Final Advice: Enjoy the Process (20:00 – 21:00) Avoiding arbitrary timelines Focusing on meaningful goals Enjoying leadership rather than rushing through it Buy-in grows when people see authentic investment 14. Closing Thoughts (21:00 – End) Growth in leadership communication Building momentum through small shifts Invitation to connect and explore coaching Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple or Spotify. If you are interested in getting in touch with us or providing topic suggestions, please: ● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach ● Message me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-mentor-coaching  ● Email me at staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  ● Contact me at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    23 min
  3. Why Busy CVs Don't Always Advance Careers

    FEB 4

    Why Busy CVs Don't Always Advance Careers

    Why Busy CVs Don’t Always Advance Careers In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman unpacks one of the most common and frustrating experiences in academic medicine: working hard, staying busy, and still feeling stalled when it comes to promotion. She explains why promotion criteria alone are not enough, how interpretation—not effort—drives advancement decisions, and why many early-career physicians unknowingly drift off track. This episode is especially for physicians in their first 10 years of practice who feel productive, valued, and praised—but unclear on whether their work is actually moving them toward promotion. Dr. Ishman walks through how promotion committees really evaluate candidates and how to shift from being busy to building a coherent academic narrative. No need to take notes—check out the blog for a written summary of these insights. If you want support translating promotion criteria into a strategy that reflects how decisions are actually made, join the Medical Mentor Coaching community. Key Points 1. Why Promotion Criteria Create False Security (0:00 – 1:00) Why written promotion documents feel reassuring—but often fail to explain how decisions are actually made The difference between published criteria and real-world interpretation 2. The Hidden Problem: Interpretation, Not Access (1:00 – 3:00) Why most institutions make promotion criteria easy to find How ambiguity around “reputation” (regional, national, international) creates confusion Why following the rules doesn’t guarantee advancement 3. Promotion Readiness Is Rarely Explicit (3:00 – 5:00) Why many faculty never have formal promotion readiness conversations How changing tracks and criteria over time increase misalignment The cost of outdated or incomplete advice 4. Track Matters More Than Volume (5:00 – 8:00) How clinician, educator, researcher, and administrative tracks differ Why excellent work can look weak if it doesn’t tell a clear story Examples of work that may or may not count depending on track 5. Adequate vs. Strong Evidence of Impact (8:00 – 9:30) What promotion committees mean by “strong” reputation Why expectations vary by institution and rank Why asking for examples of successful CVs matters 6. Busy Is Not the Same as Aligned (9:30 – 11:30) Why committees don’t see effort—they see patterns How scattered excellence stalls promotion The difference between productivity and trajectory 7. A Real Case of Promotion Drift (11:30 – 13:00) How a packed CV still failed to support promotion Why the issue was misalignment, not underperformance What changed once expectations were clarified 8. The Emotional Cost of Unclear Promotion Systems (13:00 – 14:30) How stalled promotion erodes confidence and engagement Why unclear systems—not personal failure—drive frustration and attrition 9. The Truth That Changes the Outcome (14:30 – End) Why promotion stalls are rarely about not working hard enough How criteria without interpretation create drift Action steps to regain clarity and momentum Summary Promotion committees do not confirm checklists. They interpret patterns. Advancement depends on a coherent academic narrative, evidence of impact at the appropriate level, and visible trajectory over time. When criteria change or interpretation is unclear, even highly productive physicians can drift off course. If your CV is full but your path feels uncertain, the issue is often structural—not personal. Clarity, alignment, and intentional strategy are what turn busy work into forward momentum. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (Apple Podcasts and Spotify). If you’d like to connect, ask a question, or suggest a topic: ● DM on Instagram: @sishmancoach ● Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching ● Email: staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  ● Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    15 min
  4. Stop Saying Yes The Opportunity Selection Framework That Saves Academic Careers

    JAN 29

    Stop Saying Yes The Opportunity Selection Framework That Saves Academic Careers

    In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman unpacks why being the most reliable faculty member can quietly stall your academic career. She introduces opportunity selection as a critical (and teachable) career skill, explaining how saying yes to the wrong work—even when it’s valued and appreciated—can slow promotion, visibility, and leadership advancement for physicians in their first 10 years of practice. No need to take notes—check out the blog for a written summary of these insights. If you are interested in learning how to build a promotion-ready career strategy instead of defaulting into overcommitment, this episode will help you rethink how and when to say yes. Key Points: 1. Why the Most Reliable Faculty Get Stuck (0:00 – 2:10) How dependable, high-performing physicians often feel invisible despite being indispensable Why this stagnation is often misdiagnosed as burnout The hidden cost of doing essential but non-advancing work 2. The Real Problem Isn’t Effort—It’s Selection (2:10 – 4:00) Why productivity, resilience, and motivation aren’t the issue How academic medicine trains execution but not decision-making The long-term consequences of default yeses 3. Promotion Is About Narrative, Not Effort (4:00 – 5:45) How promotion committees evaluate coherence, trajectory, and impact Why scattered service roles dilute your story The difference between being busy and being promotable 4. The Trade-Off Between Being Helpful and Being Strategic (5:45 – 7:10) Why saying yes feels professional—and why that can be misleading How loyalty and guilt influence opportunity decisions When service helps your career and when it quietly hurts it 5. Opportunity Selection as a Career Skill (7:10 – 8:50) Why saying no is disciplined, not selfish How intentional yeses build depth, visibility, and authority How to redirect opportunities toward roles that fit your goals 6. A Real Coaching Case: Invisible Work, Missed Advancement (8:50 – 10:20) A mid-career faculty example of being passed over for leadership Why invisible institutional work doesn’t translate externally How redesigning roles and focus changes outcomes 7. What Leaders Miss—and Why Retention Suffers (10:20 – 11:40) How departments unintentionally overload their most reliable faculty Why departures often feel sudden but are actually predictable How strategic opportunity alignment can prevent attrition 8. Practical Questions Before You Say Yes (11:40 – 12:50) What this opportunity replaces How it maps to promotion criteria and skill-building Whether it advances your next step—or is time to let it go 9. From Silent Overcommitment to Strategic Careers (12:50 – 14:10) Why goodwill sustains departments but strategy drives promotion How opportunity selection benefits both faculty and institutions Making intentional career design part of academic culture Summary Academic medicine runs on reliable faculty—but careers advance through intentional strategy. In this episode, Dr. Ishman reframes saying yes as a choice that shapes your professional narrative, not a measure of commitment. By learning how to select opportunities that align with promotion criteria, leadership goals, and long-term impact, physicians can stop overcommitting by default and start building careers that move forward with clarity and purpose. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (Apple Podcasts and Spotify). If you’d like to connect with us or suggest future topics: ● DM on Instagram at @sishmancoach ● Message us on LinkedIn at Medical Mentor Coaching ● Email staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  ● Visit www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    16 min
  5. The Leadership Gap No One Talks About in Academic Medicine

    JAN 21

    The Leadership Gap No One Talks About in Academic Medicine

    In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman unpacks a critical but rarely named challenge facing early-career physicians: the leadership gap that emerges after training ends. While medicine prepares physicians to execute, it does not prepare them to choose. The result is ambiguity, misalignment, and career drift that often gets mislabeled as burnout. This conversation reframes leadership development as a clarity problem—not a resilience problem—and offers a strategic lens for physicians navigating promotion, leadership roles, and long-term career direction in their first decade of practice. No need to take notes—check out the blog for a full written summary of these insights. If you are interested, book a call HERE, designed to help physicians in their first 5 years of practice chart a personalized, strategic path to promotion, please DM me on Instagram @sishmancoach or email staceyishmancoach@gmail.com . This course is designed to help you intentionally set up your clinical practice, understand academic finances, build a research or education portfolio, establish a national reputation, and create a promotion-ready career narrative. My mission is to help you envision your ideal career and build a path to your version of success. Join us to start your career with clarity rather than drift. Key Points: 1. The Invisible Transition from Trainee to Faculty (0:00 – 2:00) Why early attending life feels harder than expected What medicine prepares you for—and what it does not The abrupt loss of structure after training ends 2. When Decision-Making Becomes the New Skill Gap (2:00 – 3:45) The challenge of moving from responder to decision-maker Why many physicians have never been asked what they want How vague success metrics create overwhelm 3. Values, Time, and Career Alignment (3:45 – 5:45) Why copying a mentor’s path often fails The importance of aligning values with how time is spent Understanding what promotion committees actually evaluate 4. Leadership Roles, Tracks, and Career Sequencing (5:45 – 7:45) Different leadership paths in academic medicine Why “watch and learn” no longer works How unexamined yeses lead to career drift 5. Burnout Reframed as Ambiguity (7:45 – 9:15) Why burnout is often a clarity problem The limits of self-care and resilience solutions The cost of not knowing what work actually counts 6. The Power of Strategic Clarity (9:15 – 11:15) Why clarity—not wellness programs—drives career progress Choosing leadership roles that advance rather than stall careers Regaining agency over your professional trajectory 7. Why This Is Not a Personal Failing (11:15 – 12:45) How academic medicine fails to teach career strategy Why hard work alone does not guarantee advancement The role of strategic mentorship and coaching 8. Designing Your Career by Intentional Choice (12:45 – End) Identifying decisions made by default rather than design Building a multi-year plan aligned with your track and values Why the leadership gap is real—and solvable Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite app (Apple Podcasts and Spotify). If you are interested in getting in touch or suggesting future topics, you can: ● DM me on Instagram at @sishmancoach ● Message me on LinkedIn at Medical Mentor Coaching ● Email me at staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  ● Visit www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    15 min
  6. Why Doing Great Work Is Not Enough to Get Promoted

    JAN 14

    Why Doing Great Work Is Not Enough to Get Promoted

    Why Doing Great Work Is Not Enough to Get Promoted In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman breaks down one of the most misunderstood truths in academic medicine: promotion is not a reward for effort. It is an evaluation of coherence, clarity, and impact. Using real examples from faculty CVs and promotion committees, Stacey explains why excellent work can still stall—and how to align your work so it actually advances your career. No need to take notes—check out the accompanying blog for a written summary of the framework and examples discussed in this episode. If you’re interested in strategic guidance on promotion planning, academic identity, and building a coherent career narrative, reach out to Medical Mentor Coaching using the links below. Key Points 1. Why “You’re Doing Great Work” Can Be Misleading (0:00 – 1:55) Why reassurance without direction can quietly derail promotion The difference between performance and progress 2. Promotion Committees Don’t Evaluate Effort (1:55 – 3:20) What committees are actually looking for: clarity, coherence, and narrative Why invisible labor and day-to-day excellence don’t translate on paper 3. The Missing Academic Narrative (3:20 – 5:10) Why strong CVs still fail when there’s no clear focus How over-delivering across too many areas dilutes impact 4. Knowing Your Track and Criteria (5:10 – 6:55) Why many faculty don’t know their promotion track or requirements The importance of reading—and understanding—your institution’s criteria 5. Promotion Is a System, Not a Judgment (6:55 – 8:30) Why promotion is an evaluation framework with rules and precedent How guessing your way through promotion is costly 6. The Three Signals Committees Look For (8:30 – 10:20) Clear academic identity Impact beyond your home institution Time structured for advancement 7. Turning Effort Into Signal (10:20 – 11:45) How talks, publications, and service should reinforce one another Why strategy—not more work—changes trajectories 8. How to Apply This Now (11:45 – End) Define what you want to be known for Audit your work against promotion criteria Choose alignment over accumulation Summary Promotion in academic medicine is not about working harder—it’s about working with intention. Committees need to clearly articulate what you are known for, why it matters, and how your work fits together. When effort is aligned with a coherent narrative, promotion becomes legible, defensible, and achievable. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on your favorite podcast app. If you’d like to connect or suggest future topics: DM on Instagram: @sishmancoach Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching Email: staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    13 min
  7. Fix Your Priorities, Not Your Time!

    JAN 7

    Fix Your Priorities, Not Your Time!

    You Don’t Have a Time Management Problem — You Have a Priority System Failure In this episode of the Medical Mentor Coaching podcast, Dr. Stacey Ishman challenges one of the most common assumptions early-career physicians make: that feeling behind is a time problem. Drawing from real coaching examples and lived experience in academic medicine, she explains why the real issue is a missing or misaligned priority system—and how that quietly derails careers, promotions, and fulfillment. This conversation is especially relevant for physicians in their first 10 years of practice who look successful on paper but feel stalled, reactive, or frustrated underneath it all. No need to take notes—check out the blog for a written summary of these insights. If you are interested in structured support to build a focused, sustainable academic career, keep reading for ways to connect. Key Points: 1. It’s Not About Time (0:00 – 2:20) Most physicians do not have a time management problem—they have a priority and boundary problem Clinics are full, inboxes are overflowing, and goals keep getting deferred The assumption that “next year will be different” rarely holds true 2. What Your Calendar Reveals (2:20 – 3:15) “My days are full, but my priorities are not on there” A time audit shows what is actually being valued Building a national reputation requires visible, consistent focus—not scattered effort 3. Why Giving Up Discretionary Time Doesn’t Work (3:15 – 4:10) Seeing one more patient does not fix a broken system Sacrificing academic or protected time creates short-term relief without long-term progress 4. Urgency vs. Importance (4:10 – 6:00) Without a priority system, everything feels urgent Reactive work becomes all of your work Important but non-urgent work must come first or it never happens 5. Delay Is Not Neutral (6:00 – 7:15) Postponing strategic work compounds over time Promotion delays, unfocused CVs, and persistent frustration are common downstream effects 6. Looking Successful While Feeling Stuck (7:15 – 8:30) Leadership roles and committee work can mask internal dissatisfaction Burnout often appears here—but it’s a signal, not the root problem 7. The Three Types of Work You’re Juggling (8:30 – 10:30) Deep work: writing, research, thinking, creating Collaborative work: teaching, mentoring, teamwork Reactive work: email, EMR, administrative tasks A real priority system creates boundaries for all three 8. A Coaching Example: Permission, Not Clarity (10:30 – 12:30) A surgeon who knew exactly what he cared about—but hadn’t protected time for it The missing piece was permission to treat academic time as non-negotiable Alignment restored momentum and meaning 9. A 90-Day Reset (12:30 – 14:00) Stop asking how to fit more in Decide what actually needs time and space this quarter Protected time + a clear framework changes everything Summary This episode reframes productivity struggles in academic medicine and offers a more honest diagnosis: without a clear priority system, physicians inherit everyone else’s agenda. Dr. Ishman outlines why working harder isn’t the answer—and how intentional focus, protected time, and aligned priorities are what actually move careers forward. If you are interested in getting structured support around priorities, promotion strategy, and career direction, join us for the 90-Day Strategy Sprint or explore additional resources at Medical Mentor Coaching. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you’d like to get in touch or suggest future topics: ● DM on Instagram at @sishmancoach ● Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching ● Email: staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  ● Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome

    15 min
  8. Likeable Badass Leadership

    JAN 2

    Likeable Badass Leadership

    Likable Badass Leadership — Leading with Warmth and Confidence In this episode of Medical Mentor Coaching, Dr. Stacey Ishman explores the concept of Likable Badass Leadership, inspired by Likable Badass by Alison Fragale. Designed for physicians in their first 10 years of practice, this conversation reframes leadership as the intentional balance of warmth and competence—connection and confidence—especially in high-stakes academic and clinical environments. Dr. Ishman reflects honestly on her own leadership evolution, shares research-backed insights on why warmth comes first, and offers practical, actionable strategies to help physician leaders build trust, psychological safety, and followership without sacrificing clarity or authority. No need to take notes—check out the blog for a full written summary of these insights. If you’re interested in leadership development, mentorship, and career strategy for early-career physicians, this episode is for you. Key Points 1. Introduction to Likable Badass Leadership (0:00 – 1:00) Overview of the book Likable Badass by Alison Fragale Why this framework resonated deeply with physician leadership experiences The gap between competence-focused training and connection-based leadership 2. Competence vs. Connection in Physician Leadership (1:00 – 2:30) Physicians are highly trained in competence—but rarely in connection Why leading with confidence alone can unintentionally create distance The power of combining assertiveness with warmth 3. Personal Reflection: When Confidence Misses Connection (2:30 – 3:30) Dr. Ishman’s own tendency to “come in hot” and skip the human layer How intention without connection can still land poorly Lessons learned at work—and at home 4. Why Warmth Comes First (3:30 – 7:00) Psychological research showing that people assess warmth before competence How warmth creates psychological safety and openness Why competence without warmth is often perceived as abrasive or intimidating 5. Finding Your Default Leadership Pattern (7:00 – 6:30) Identifying whether you naturally lead with warmth or assertiveness The importance of intentionally strengthening the opposite muscle Examples from peer leadership conversations 6. Actionable Strategies for Likable Badass Leadership (6:30 – 9:30) Pause and ground yourself before difficult conversations Open by acknowledging the person and the problem Use curiosity, open-ended questions, and shared purpose Align expectations with mission (patient safety, team function, care quality) 7. Practical Communication and Presence Tips (9:30 – 10:30) The role of tone, pacing, and body language Why speed can read as impatience How posture, eye contact, and openness build trust 8. Feedback, Criticism, and Psychological Safety (10:30 – 11:15) Why public criticism erodes warmth instantly How to give feedback with partnership and shared goals Leading with clarity and care, not harshness 9. Leadership as a Skill You Can Build (11:15 – 12:00) Likable Badass leadership is not about changing your personality It’s about upgrading your mindset and habits The future leader you want to be starts with daily intentional choices Episode Summary Leadership in medicine is not just about being right—it’s about being trusted. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman challenges the idea that competence alone is enough and introduces a more effective, human-centered model: Likable Badass Leadership. By leading with warmth first and confidence second, physicians can foster safer teams, better communication, stronger retention, and more meaningful impact. This episode offers both mindset shifts and concrete tools to help early-career physicians lead in a way that feels authentic, effective, and sustainable—without sacrificing authority or excellence. Please RATE, REVIEW, and FOLLOW the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it truly helps us reach more physicians who need this message. If you’d like to connect with us or suggest future topics, you can: DM on Instagram: @sishmancoach Message on LinkedIn: Medical Mentor Coaching Email: staceyishmancoach@gmail.com  Visit: www.medicalmentorcoaching.com/welcome  Thank you for being part of this community—and please share this episode with someone who could benefit from it.

    14 min
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About

The Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast is a hybrid-style career coaching show designed to help you navigate—and thrive in—the world of academic medicine. Hosted by Dr. Stacey Ishman, this podcast delivers actionable advice to propel your career forward in this demanding yet rewarding field. Dr. Stacey Ishman is an ENT surgeon and sleep medicine physician who has published more than 220 peer-reviewed articles, worked on multiple NIH grants, served on the boards of three national and international organizations, and devoted the past two decades to mentoring and coaching early-career physicians. Each episode dives into practical topics like goal-setting, skill development, mentorship, and work-life integration—all tailored to the realities of your first 10 years in academic medicine. You’ll get real-world answers to questions such as: ➤ How do you build a clinical and academic career and gain national recognition in your field? ➤ How do you get on the program—or the committee? ➤ How do you get published? ➤ How do you find the right mentors and coaches to accelerate your success? ➤ How do you integrate work with the life you actually want? If any of those questions resonate, this show is for you. Join Stacey as she shares the very strategies she used to become a full professor, speak on stages worldwide, and publish widely—all while staying grounded in what matters most. Tune in to the Medical Mentor Coaching Podcast for expert guidance, insider insights, and the support you need to take the next step in your career.

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