In April HealthNet, Inc. began piloting a new staff development program for its up-and-coming leaders, thanks to the help of volunteers from the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The six-week initiative pairs emerging leaders with a personal career coach for one-on-one leadership coaching.  The coaches and participants will celebrate lessons learned at a reception on May 20, 2014, during International Coaching Week (May 19-25, 2014). Throughout the week we’ll be posting blogs from HealthNet staff as well as coaches taking part in this new staff development program.

Check out our first blog from HealthNet staff member, Stacey Bedwell, RN.

“I have had the privilege of working for HealthNet for the past 4 ½ years.  When I joined the HealthNet organization, I had little knowledge of the mission of HealthNet.  In the past 4 years, I have grown to love not only the patients that we serve, but also the staff who come to work every day and share the same mission that I do.  I feel very fortunate to be a part of this great place.  After working in direct patient care for the first 15 years of my nursing career, HealthNet has taken me into a totally different direction professionally, the direction of leadership.

When I was approached to be part of the Leadership Academy, I was a little anxious.  I assumed that being asked to participate in this meant that I had some shortcomings that my leader saw in me.  However, once I understood the purpose behind professional coaching, I became excited at the possibility of growing myself professionally.  I am very grateful that HealthNet sees the value of this, and I am also flattered that I was chosen as one of the few to participate.  I chose my coach and have had the opportunity to meet with her. She has been very helpful in asking me pointed questions regarding where I see myself professionally in the next 5 years, and how I achieve those goals.  Already, I am seeing a key area that I can grow in, and I look forward to meeting with her again.

The main thing that I have learned is that you should always have a “next” goal.

When you work to achieve something, and you achieve it, you should then have a new goal that you work to achieve.  Being a  part of the Leadership Academy is helping to ensure that I never stop growing.