Inclusive Leadership Training

The Challenge

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) identified that there were limited resources that provided effective leadership skills development designed for underrepresented-in-medicine (URM) faculty. They wanted to create an e-learning course was designed to empower URM faculty to set career goals, project their leadership voice, build their professional network, and identify opportunities for career advancement.

I worked with a team of subject matter experts to identify the following goals:

• Designing content that resonated with diverse learners and reflected their experiences.
• Ensuring learner engagement despite competing work priorities.
• Creating an accessible and mobile-friendly learning experience.
• Encouraging learners to set personalized professional development goals.

The Solution

To address these challenges, we implemented a blended e-learning strategy using Articulate Rise, incorporating the following components:

• Microlearning Rise Modules:
  
  • Bite-sized lessons with short videos, engaging content, and interactive assignments.
  • Mobile-friendly design to support learning on the go.
• Authentic Advice:
  
  • Short embedded videos featuring relatable insights from diverse leaders.
  • Real-world leadership exercises tailored to URM faculty.
• Performance Support Tools:
  
  • Downloadable guides and resources for on-the-job application.
  • Reflective exercises in a downloadable journal to encourage self-assessment and goal setting with a trusted mentor.

The Results

• The final course received extremely positive feedback from STFM members and high ratings in our post-course surveys.
• Learners appreciated the diverse range of experiences represented in the videos and the depth of linked resources for further exploration.
• Early career faculty valued the roadmap of potential career pathways in academic medicine to guide their own career decisions.

This leadership development e-learning program successfully met the needs of URM faculty by providing a flexible and engaging learning experience. By integrating real-world advice, reflective activities, and microlearning strategies, the program contributed to measurable growth in learner confidence regarding leadership skills and career advancement.