In her interview, Maimuna Jatta reflected on her transition from a senior Infection Preventionist (IP) to the Director of a department overseeing multiple facilities. While it was a significant step up in terms of responsibility, Jatta emphasized that her prior experience as a senior IP had prepared her for much of the work involved in her new role. One of the key aspects that made the jump smoother was her involvement in training and onboarding new IPs. This allowed her to build strong relationships within the team, which would later prove invaluable when she stepped into the leadership position.
Despite not having direct reports in her senior IP role, Jatta was already managing many of the responsibilities that a director would handle, including key initiatives and departmental programs. This “slow ease” into leadership, as she described it, gave her time to adapt to the demands of directing an Infection Prevention program. However, there were new challenges—especially when it came to managing people and navigating the interpersonal dynamics of a larger team. Jatta admitted that she thrived under pressure, a trait that could sometimes clash with others who may react differently during times of crisis. Learning how to adapt her leadership style and communicate effectively with diverse personalities was one of the most significant challenges she encountered.
Another major learning curve was mastering the art of influence. As Jatta explained, being an effective leader in Infection Prevention requires getting buy-in from multiple disciplines within the hospital. Infection Prevention is a field that intersects with nearly every department, and ensuring successful implementation of policies and practices requires strong relationship-building and influence.
Ultimately, her experience as a senior IP, combined with her natural progression into leadership during a period of transition, helped her adjust to the demands of the director role. It wasn’t just about taking on new responsibilities—it was about continuing to grow in her leadership skills and adapting to the interpersonal challenges that come with leading a large and diverse team.