The Two Ladders At Work

Every workplace has two types of ladders: the visible status ladder and the quiet impact ladder.

In 2017, a junior doctor in Lagos took the initiative to educate diabetic patients about lifestyle changes.

This wasn’t a formal role, and she wasn't assigned the task.

However, within a few weeks, readmissions in her unit dropped significantly, and patients began coming to follow-ups with food journals and exercise logs in hand.

Despite having no title or formal team, she made a real impact.

That same year, another colleague was appointed as the hospital's patient safety committee coordinator.

While it looked impressive on paper, little changed during his tenure; it was mostly meetings without real progress.

Authentic leadership isn’t solely about the titles you hold; it’s about the problems you solve.

The longer you focus on climbing the status ladder, the further away you drift from the impact ladder, where true leaders are forged.

Two Ladders: Understanding the Divergence of Titles and True Leadership

Let’s break this down.

The Status Ladder:

• Driven by: Titles, positions, visibility

• Rewarded with: Recognition, hierarchy, prestige

• Limitations: Often political, can foster imposter syndrome, or reward inaction

The Impact Ladder:

• Driven by: Problems solved, people helped, systems changed

• Rewarded with: Trust, influence, legacy

• Limitations: Often invisible, slower recognition, not always compensated immediately

Why Many Leaders Choose the Wrong Ladder:

1. The status ladder is easier to measure. Titles are clear. Impact is abstract.

2. The status ladder feeds the ego. It tells the world you're essential.

3. The system promotes titles, not always effectiveness. Job specs reward authority, not influence.

The best leaders climb by using status to create room for impact.

8 Reasons You Should Have A Positive Online Presence As A Doctor.

Have you ever considered the impact of your online presence as a medical doctor?

It could be why you aren't getting the jobs you interviewed for.

Or why your career growth is slow.

Know that it's not just about being visible.

It's about making a significant difference.

1️⃣ Connection -

The digital world is vast, but a positive online presence bridges the gap.

It connects you with like-minded peers who share your passion and drive.

2️⃣ Visibility & Growth -

The more visible you are, the greater the opportunities that come your way.

It's not just growth.

It's exponential growth.

3️⃣ Career Advancement -

Opportunities don't just knock; they also scroll through your profile.

A solid online presence opens doors to career leaps you wouldn't have imagined.

4️⃣ Trust & Credibility -

In healthcare, trust is crucial.

An authentic online presence builds trust effortlessly.

It establishes you as a credible source of information and care.

5️⃣ Showcasing Expertise -

Your skills should be visible.

An online platform offers the stage to highlight your expertise and make an impact in your field.

6️⃣ Collaboration -

The digital age thrives on collaboration.

A positive online presence makes you a magnet for collaborative opportunities.

It, therefore, drives innovation and improvement.

7️⃣ Personal Branding -

You are more than your title.

Online, you get to sculpt your brand and tell your story your way.

8️⃣ Personal Growth -

Building an online presence is a journey of learning, adapting, and growing.

It's a reflection of your professional journey.

It pushes you to evolve constantly.

📌 Remember, no one lights and hides a candle under the bed.

Your expertise, passion, and vision deserve the spotlight.

Start today.

Share your journey,

Connect with your community and

Let your online presence amplify the incredible work you do.

What steps are you taking to build your online presence?

Like, Comment and Repost.

Click here, Adaobi Rose Okoh, to follow me for more.

Have a beautiful week!

Tool of the Week: The Leadership Ladder Audit

Take 10 minutes this week to reflect.

→ Action Step: Circle the ladder where you spend most of your leadership energy. If it’s status-driven primarily, identify one area to shift toward impact this week.

Ikechukwu’s Journal

Reflections from the frontline of healthcare, leadership, and life

Last week, I found myself in a room with two startup founders.

One of them introduced himself by boasting a long list of accolades, including titles, investments, and partnerships.

The other spoke quietly about how their mobile diagnostic kit had helped 2,300 rural patients avoid unnecessary hospital visits.

They didn't have any major awards to show, just tangible results.

Can you guess who earned more respect in the end?

In a world obsessed with appearances, true leaders concentrate on real outcomes.

Over time, these outcomes always speak louder than any accolades.

So, this week, let go of the need for recognition.

Instead, focus on the difference you are making.

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That’s it for this week.

I offer the following services:

1. Executive Coaching for Healthcare Leaders: Tailored strategies for effective leadership in uncertain times.

2. Healthcare Consulting Services: Insights to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and patient care.

3. Advisory for Healthcare Startups: Support with scaling, investor pitching, and regulatory navigation.

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Ikechukwu Okoh

Founder of Leadership Pulse