Name: Dr.Chencho Dorjee

Title: Former Dean (Retired)

Organisation: Faculty of Nursing and Public Health (FNPH), Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB)

Born July 1964 in Bumthang, Central Bhutan. Primary education in Bhutan and continued in India on a scholarship at St.Joseph's School, Darjeeling. Pre university back in Bhutan at Sherubtse College, Kanglung and did my UG studies in Medicine (MBBS) at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. Joined the civil service in the Royal Government of Bhutan and served as a Medical Officer and District Medical Officers in various hospitals in the country before being transferred as a Lecturer in 1999 to the then Royal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS) in Thimphu, the Capital City of Bhutan where I worked till my resignation in March 2023. Did my Masters in Health Development specializing in Health Professions Education from the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Married for 38 years with 3 grown up children and one grand daughter.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Chencho's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Managing Time, People and Conflicts

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

The incumbent Principal of the institute was transferred and being the most qualified I was appointed/elected/selected as the Principal/Director/Dean till my resignation.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Wake up early 4-4.30 AM, short meditation, go through mails, social media etc, go for a walk with my dogs and then get ready for the office. At the office, I just deal with things as they come. An afternoon nap pulls me through the day. I do a lot of management by walking and talking. Evening walk, gardening, watch the news and go to sleep usually by 9-9.30 PM

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Consistency and Integrity in your thoughts, words and deeds.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

7 habits of Highly Effective People. Went through a 3 day training on the 7 habits and found that each of the 7 habits if practiced consistently made a big difference on me as a leader and also as a person.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Look after your people and they will look after your organization

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

One year, I was out of the country when the Graduation Ceremony was to take place. I was worried sick thinking about how it would go during my absence. To my surprise, the faculty, staff and students put up a damn good show. They even re-furbished the old stage furniture and curtains. That was when I realized that I could trust my people and that I was not indispensable either.