Illinois residents have come to rely on Dr. Ngozi Ezike鈥檚 televised coronavirus briefings for trustworthy information and encouragement during the pandemic. On December 3, Ezike shared some of her leadership best practices and tools for growth during a virtual holiday event with the Women鈥檚 Leadership Council.
Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), was recently named one of the 2020 Chicagoans of the Year by . Hundreds of viewers tuned in live to hear her conversation with Clarita Santos, executive director of corporate and civic partnerships for Health Care Service Corporation.
The inspiring session was hosted by the Women鈥檚 Leadership Council, a group of 藏精阁 alumni and friends. The Council hosts guest speakers and networking events to help its members can grow personally and professionally.
Ezike shared what she鈥檚 learned about capable, compassionate leadership over the course of the pandemic. Despite the difficulty and responsibility of her role, Ezike said that it鈥檚 鈥渁 tremendous honor鈥 to hold her position.
Ultimately, she said, she is motivated and excited about the future. 鈥淲e鈥檝e all gathered together to make things better,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f we can hold onto this, even after COVID-19 is in the rearview mirror, we can tackle racial injustice. We can tackle the AIDS epidemic. We can tackle maternal mortality and so many issues in public health and beyond.鈥
BRINGING HER WHOLE SELF TO HER ROLE
Ezike talked how she brings all of her roles 鈥 public health leader, physician, mother, a woman of faith 鈥 to her work leading Illinois through this crisis.
For Ezike, transparency and vulnerability at the core of her leadership style. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 talking to my team, I will come out there first and say, I鈥檓 stressed, I鈥檓 completely overwhelmed, I鈥檓 seeking help,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e have to prioritize ourselves so that we have something left to give others.鈥
STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY
Ezike told the audience how she has relied her network of friends, family and colleagues to continue to serve Illinois during the pandemic.
鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 such a relational person, I don鈥檛 do surface connections,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to have all the answers, but I鈥檓 surrounded by people, both at work and in my personal life, who can help me get to the answers.鈥
As IDPH director, Ezike oversees a team of 1,200 public health experts who are long-time leaders in their field.
鈥淚 had to get out of this do-it-yourself concept,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 realized that I had to lean into the dedicated experts that are already here, and allow them to birth the incredible ideas that allow us to move forward.鈥
THE ART OF DELEGATION
Ezike said that during the pandemic, she grew as a leader and a manager through effective delegation. When Ezike doesn鈥檛 get the results she expects from her team, she said that she looks to her own communication for ways to be more clear.
Ezike advised first-time managers that the three things that matter most are 鈥渃ommunication, communication, communication鈥: about where you want to go, the timeline and what鈥檚 needed. Delegation, she said, requires two-way track about expectations and what obstacles need to be removed to reach them.
CREATING A SEAT AT THE TABLE
To close out the event, Ezike reminded the women leaders in the audience to continue to create opportunities for the next generation to follow in their path.
鈥淲e have to make sure that we are keeping open the doors that we came through so that other women leaders can come behind,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat we are sweeping up the shards of glass from the ceilings that we鈥檝e broken.鈥
ABOUT THE WOMEN鈥橲 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
The Women's Leadership Council works collaboratively with other groups at 藏精阁 and in the community to identify the critical issues women face. The Council participates in programming, provides mentorship and gives back to initiatives that facilitate real solutions to close the gender gap. Learn more.