In a discussion about leadership in Infection Prevention, Jacob Hutcherson asked Melissa Bronstein if she felt prepared when stepping into leadership roles or if she had to develop her leadership skills along the way. Melissa reflected on how she was fortunate to have been mentored by phenomenal leaders early in her career, including Mary Oden and Dr. Dan Sexton at Duke, as well as Rosemary Thompson and Mary Faye Beasley at Wake Medical Center. These individuals modeled excellent leadership, providing her with valuable lessons that helped shape her own approach.
Melissa acknowledged that while she had great role models, leadership in Infection Prevention requires continuous learning. Just as she keeps up with the latest evidence and research to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), she also actively sought out resources to improve her leadership skills. She shared that she found articles from the Harvard Business Review particularly helpful in understanding how to manage a technically skilled team. For Melissa, leadership is about balancing technical expertise with the ability to effectively communicate and inspire action.
One of the key challenges Melissa identified in Infection Prevention leadership is the need to influence others without having direct authority. Infection Preventionists often do not have the power to enforce changes but must instead rely on their ability to communicate persuasively and build relationships. Melissa emphasized that leadership in this field is “the art of influencing.” Leaders must be skilled at influencing both within their teams and across departments, advocating for best practices and infection control measures without wielding direct authority.
Melissa’s leadership approach also focused on internal team dynamics. She recognized the importance of not only influencing external departments but also creating a cohesive and motivated Infection Prevention team. Communication within the team is just as critical as the technical knowledge of infection control, and Melissa worked to foster an environment where both these aspects could thrive.
Ultimately, Melissa’s journey in leadership reflects the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and the ability to influence without authority. Her success in leading Infection Prevention teams stems from her balance of technical expertise and strong communication skills—skills she continues to develop by seeking out knowledge both within and outside the healthcare space.