The Duke Orthopaedics Grand Rounds featured George S.E. Aitken, MD, visiting professor Keith Kenter, MD. He is the professor and chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and professor of the Medical Engineering program at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Duke and quipped, "It's easy and humbling to accept a speaking invitation that allows me to come home to Duke and to honor Dr. Aiken."
Dr. Kenter's session discussed leadership styles and his 'three E's' of team-building: engagement, enlightenment, and enrichment.
He recommended that leaders be transformational, collaborative, visionary, servant, and charismatic. "However, be aware of your threshold. I learned that communication skills are a powerful tool for helping people feel valued, empowered, and fulfilled on our teams. Be a cheerleader, but don't lose sight of other issues."
"I have had an incredible opportunity to work with outstanding coaches like Coach Mike Krzyzewski and learned from him that "you don't have to be in a locker room to be a coach." He is right. We are role models, mentors, and sponsors.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kenter has learned that there is an art to crisis management for teams. COVID taught his teams about agility, collaboration, and the power of understanding.
He suggested using these leadership lessons and roles to grow your team. "On my office door is a sign proclaiming, 'Welcome to the Varsity'—a statement of power and truth. As practitioners and educators, we are the 'varsity' team. Be a champion."