From Idea to Impact: How to Build a Program That Lasts
“Great programs aren’t built in isolation…they’re built through iteration.”
• Start at the top! Leadership gives you perspective, resources, and alignment.
• Go to the bottom! Colleagues give you insights and creativity you’d never think of alone.
• Meet in the middle! Stakeholders give you reality checks and support.
When creating a new program, buy-in from the top is essential. Your division chief, chair, or dean brings institutional perspective, budget realities, key stakeholders, and lessons from prior successes.
Once you’ve aligned with leadership, go to your colleagues. Listen carefully. They’ll provide insights and creative ideas you may not have considered. A true “listening tour” is invaluable.
Next, synthesize. Don’t just collect every suggestion. Then, design a coherent and feasible plan that reflects the best ideas. Finally, circle back to your boss for refinement, challenge, and further guidance.
Throughout this process, involve the stakeholders who will ultimately interact with or support your initiative. That way, when you “meet in the middle,” you’ll have the ideas, buy-in, and support needed to make your program thrive.
By way of example, when I created the NCI Early-Stage Surgeon Scientist Program (https://lnkd.in/eTDSmTSd), I went straight to the top of Strategic Initiatives and Extramural Funding Leadership at NCI. The advice and tactics shared were invaluable (eg, NCI would support a larger program if our main national surgical society (ACS) launched a similar, smaller program). I then sought input regarding the design of the program from several surgeon-scientists around the country. Then, with guidance and support from leaders at NCI and the NCI training center, as well as key administrative staff, this novel program was created, launched, and is now in its 4th consecutive year.
Building a program takes iteration and persistence. When you engage top leadership, colleagues, and stakeholders, you set yourself up for lasting success.