EP44 | The Daily Practice of Leadership with Dr. Jessica Bunin - Part 2

What if the most powerful leadership skill isn’t being the smartest person in the room, but learning how to follow well, reflect honestly, and see every piece of constructive feedback as an act of love? Picking up right where Part 1 left off, Dr. Jessica Bunin shares the practical, human side of the CLEAR framework in action, from a deeply personal peer conversation about abortion that permanently widened her lens, to tackling real institutional conflicts (LGBTQ+ and Christian student groups, military vs. civilian, basic scientists vs. clinicians). She shows exactly how starting civil discourse education at the top (deans and chairs first) created measurable cultural change, including higher belonging, more hope for the institution, and people voluntarily returning to debrief tough talks. Listeners hear powerful workshop stories, including the skeptic who couldn’t sleep the night before, then asked for a hug and volunteered to market the program, and the everyday tools that turn “that conversation went sideways” into rapid improvement: simple reflection questions, personal “pause phrases” to catch defensiveness in real time, and the daily seamless shift between leader and follower roles.  Dr. Bunin proves that durable leadership cultures are built one honest, reflective conversation at a time and that followership may actually be even more important than leadership. Three Actionable Takeaways After any difficult conversation, debrief with three quick reflection questions: “How did it feel at the start? When exactly did it go off-track? What one tiny change (pause phrase, common ground, or timeout) would make it better next time?” Find or become a feedback partner or build a personal board of directors outside your daily circle, someone who will be radically honest so you can see blind spots and grow faster. Embrace followership as the other side of leadership: use the same CLEAR skills to support your leader’s mission while constructively challenging when needed, because the best leaders were once, and still are excellent followers. About the Show:  Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose. About the Guest: Jessica Bunin, MD, MHPE, FACP, FCCM, CEC, is retired Colonel, co-founder and chief architect of All Levels Leadership, and a critical care physician and professor of medicine and health professions education at the Uniformed Services University. A West Point graduate with an MD from Tulane and 23 years of Army service (including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan), she has served as critical care program director, assistant dean for faculty development, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, and associate dean for community and educational culture. She is a certified executive coach passionate about teaching healthcare leaders the practical skills of psychological safety, civil discourse, and high-stakes communication that turn conflict into collaboration. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Jessica Bunin 🌐 Website: alllevelsleadership.com 📘 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessica-bunin    About the Host: Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools. Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma: 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.