Shy doctors can lead: imposter syndrome and the path to physician leadership

She never saw herself as a leader, and she was quiet and shy, yet she became a chief medical officer. Vidhya Prakash is an internal medicine physician and chief medical officer at SIU Medicine. This episode is based on her article "What becoming a chief medical officer taught a shy doctor," published on KevinMD. You will hear how mentors tapping her on the shoulder led her into leadership, and why she stopped equating leaders with loud, commanding personalities. She describes the imposter syndrome and self-doubt that tell many budding women physician leaders they are not worthy unless they check every box. She explains why a physician's problem-solving training is a strong base, and where more development is needed: engaging a team, navigating conflict, and the business side. She shares how she learned budgets by sitting with finance leaders, and why mentors and sponsors make leadership less lonely. Press play to hear why she says it is never too early or too late to pursue leadership, and how to invest in your own.

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