Name: Mamta Rana

Title: Advanced Medical Support Assistant

Organisation: Garland VAMC

Location: Texas, United States

Mamta Rana currently resides and works as an Advanced Medical Support Assistance in Garland, Texas. Artist turned Advanced Medial Administrative Support Assistant with a background in customer service, and passion for optimizing teams and inter-department relations through creative and efficient systems she enjoys ideating with staff to help them optimize their workflow creating necessary change.

She has achieved a degree in Design in 2016 and was awarded for her design skill in 2015. More recently she has not only achieved certificates of appreciation in November 2023 for her hard work and dedication at the Garland VA Medical Center. When she's not at the VA she enjoys spending time with her family, friends and cooking wholesome meals.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

As a leader the most challenging thing I face as a leader is fear. I am naturally an introvert and have grown to become more ambivert through my interactions with colleagues and management and it is scary to put myself out there like that for fear of judgement and making a mistake however for my own growth it becomes almost imperative that I do. And I encourage my peers to do the same. Face your fears, even if you fail you will learn something.

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

If I was asked about leadership even two weeks ago, I would have run 50 miles in the opposite direction! However, I was faced with circumstances in my workplace in which I was left with two choices either to step up, or play along with the current lack of management, lack of accountability and where those in management positions were being taken advantage of.

I previously worked at a place where management was present, hold team members accountable, and communicated updates in a timely manner. Coming from that to the opposite end of the spectrum where nothing was manages and no one was held accountable, and where collogues constantly walked over management, I had no choice but to step up. And I have to take a moment to acknowledge those who have constantly encouraged me to step up and continue on my leadership journey with out them I wouldn't be here today!

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

I start my day at 5:30am on work days (Mon- Fri).

After showering and getting dressed, I drink a glass of hot water to wake up my organs, and I usually have oatmeal for breakfast with PB2 powder, cinnamon, and banana topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries. Upon my arrival to work I follow up with after hours requests, check my emails, and collaborate with management on ongoing projects.

I also assist patients in scheduling future primary care appointments, and coordinating patient appointments with specialties such as X- rays, Acupuncture, and Korean Hand Therapy.

During my Lunch, I go for an afternoon walk preferably outdoors, for a change of scenery and step away from technology. I find this really uplifting, and re- energizing for the afternoon. I usually touch base with co- workers, work on back end clinic operations.

After work, I pick my brother up from school, go for a walk with my dad spending quality time together, cook with my mom and other family and friends.

Before bed, I like to practice self care including but not limited to skin care, brushing teeth, and practicing gratitude.

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

To speak up, it is a lesson that I have learned and relearned everyday. As someone whose default is to "keep the peace" I find that at times I have to mindfully speak up at the right times in order to address unique situations in the workplace. As time passes, I think it would be safe to say that it gets easier and easier.

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?

"Captivate" by Vanessa Van Edwards is what really kickstarted my journey. I use to have severe social anxiety, however reading literature by Vanessa Van Edwards and following her has not only made me a huge fan of her she has also indirectly played an integral role in my leadership up bringing as far as people skills go!

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

Face. Your. Fears. I know it can be scary and intimidating to speak up, step up especially when it seems like everyone is against you, however it is the only way to grow in leadership. Even if you fail, you will learn from experience, there is only so much you can learn from theory.

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

As I mentioned earlier, the first time I stepped up was to start doing monthly meetings. I had good rapport with my supervisor, and he knew about my design background. After having an inspiring and motivating conversation with a colleague about how we could potentially do to improve the current circumstances.

I created a presentation to show to my manager about how impactful doing monthly meetings are and I made sure to include my research. After I was done, my manager really liked my ideas provided some feedback and even offered for me to run future meetings! All it took was a little prep, research, one to one, and courage to make that change- okay, maybe a lot of courage was needed.