Escaping the Pigeonhole
Recognizing how others see you
and how to make the most of it
Leisha Nolen, M.D., Ph.D.
EISO , Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch
Disclaimer
The findings and conclusions in this
presentation have not been formally
disseminated by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, nor any agency or any
co-author, and should not be construed to
represent any agency determination or policy.
Interacting with Others
Goals
themartireed.com600
How to escape the pigeonhole
•
•
•
•
What pigeonholes have I been put in?
Why did I get put in the pigeonhole?
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
How to make the pigeonhole work for you
www.ushawks.org
Who am I ?
•
•
•
•
Pediatrician
Basic scientist
Epidemiologist
Public health official
Ebola Response
Liberia April/May
2014
Sierra Leone
August 2014
November- December 2014
My Goals
•
Stop Ebola
 Identify cases
• Rapid treatment
• Rapid isolation
 Identify contacts
• Monitoring
 Community education
The Expert Arrives
The Pigeonholes




Savior
Invader
Banker
Partner
Pigeonhole: Savior
imgbuddy.com521
www.africandevjobs.com
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fworld-africa29196367&ei=y4xaVaP_IciCsAXojIKICQ&bvm=bv.93564037,d.b2w&psig=AFQjCNETLHzdMZiSAtxwtW
JHoHltESCZaw&ust=1432084004986403
www.theguardian.com
What Creates a Savior
•
•
•
•
Desperation
Disparate resources
Lack of leadership
Reputation
www.theglobeandmail.com
Benefits of Being a Savior
•
•
•
Everyone listens
Enthusiastic
Possible to affect
 Lead without dispute
•
Great ego boost
www.theblaze.com
Downfall of Being a Savior
•
•
•
Unrealistic expectation
Huge emotional burden
Mistakes
 No one questioning
http://www.unicef.org.au/Discover/News
Making the Most of the
Savior Pigeonhole
•
•
•
Set realistic goals
Be clear what you can do
Delegate
The Pigeonholes




Savior
Invader
Banker
Partner
commons.wikimedia.org640
Pigeonhole: Invader
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2014/12/20/britain-canadamilitary-ebola/20687795/
www.dailymail.co.uk
www.dailymail.co.uk
What Creates an Invader
•
•
•
Challenged
authority
Challenged ideas
Uncertain or
overlapping roles
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/09/w
hy-britain-sending-troops-ebola-sierra-leone
Benefits of Being an Invader
 Your battle is clear
 Predictability
Downfall of Being an Invader
•
•
•
•
Distracted from real problem
Wasted energy and resources
Divided allegiances
Lack of trust
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/10/09/army-to-west-africabut-n-ebola-screening-yet/
Making the Most of the
Invader Pigeonhole
•
•
•
•
Clarify roles
Give credit to others
Swallow your pride
Present yourself as a
resource
 As an assistant
What Others See




Savior
Invader
Banker
Partner
www.ushawks.org
Pigeonhole: Banker
themeforest.net
What Creates a Banker
•
•
•
Unequal resources
Previous experience
Desperation
Benefits of Being a Banker
Everyone approaches you
• Learn the resources
• Understand the needs
• Get ideas
Downfall of Being a Banker
•
•
•
Draining
Frustrating
PITA
Making the Most of the
Banker Pigeonhole
•
•
Be very clear about what money is available
Encourage ideas and alternatives
What Others See




Savior
Invader
Banker
Partner
www.ushawks.org
Pigeonhole: Partner
www.localtraders.com240
Community Action for the Welfare of Children
(CAWeC)
What Creates a Partner
•
•
•
•
Realistic expectations
Previous interactions
Resources
Good communication
Benefits of Being a Partner
•
•
Ideal
Strengths of both sides
Downfall of Being a Partner
You may not get exactly what you want
Making the Most of the Partner Pigeonhole
•
•
•
•
Good communication
Clear roles
Shared responsibility
Ownership of errors
Common Perch
•
•
•
•
Identify skills
Define roles
Communicate
Compromise
Thanks to Everyone
Who Worked to Defeat Ebola