Mentorship in independent pharmacy is important for owners and those coming up behind us.
As independent pharmacy owners, we often find ourselves juggling numerous roles and responsibilities. One crucial role that is often overlooked is mentorship in independent pharmacies.
I am excited to share insights on how mentorship can transform your pharmacy practice, why it’s essential to embrace your mentees’ success, and how to create a culture of mutual growth and support within our community.
Mentorship in Independent Pharmacy: Learning from Each Other
Mentorship is a powerful tool in any profession, and pharmacy is no exception. When I think back to my early days as a pharmacy owner, I recall the invaluable lessons I learned from seasoned owners who had walked the path before me.
Each mentor provided unique insight and expanded my perception of what was possible. I came from very humble beginnings, and my view of the world was very limited. I would never have been the person I am today without the input of my mentors along the way.
Giving and Receiving
Mentorship isn’t a one-way street. It’s essential to recognize that as we grow and achieve our milestones, we, too, have a responsibility to pass on our knowledge and experiences to the next generation of pharmacy owners. By doing so, we not only contribute to the collective advancement of our profession but also enhance our skills and knowledge through teaching and guiding.
I love helping pharmacy entrepreneurs and owners who are just starting out. By sharing my knowledge of what works and what doesn’t, I help them reach goals much faster than I could. By helping others, I gain immense personal and professional satisfaction that would otherwise go unfulfilled.
Embracing the Success of Your Mentees
One of the most profound shifts in my perspective on mentorship came when I realized that the true mark of a successful mentor is the achievements of their mentees.
It’s not about maintaining superiority or withholding secrets to stay ahead; instead, it’s about empowering others with the tools and knowledge they need to excel. When we see our mentees surpassing us in certain areas, it’s a testament to the effectiveness of our mentorship. It means we have provided them with a solid foundation and the confidence to innovate and push boundaries. This mindset shift allows us to take pride in their accomplishments rather than viewing them as competition.
This shift in perspective is crucial for the growth of the entire pharmacy community. When we embrace the success of our mentees, we create a positive cycle of continuous improvement. Our mentees, in turn, become mentors to the next generation, perpetuating a legacy of knowledge, support, and excellence. This sense of community and shared growth is what makes mentorship in the independent pharmacy sector so powerful and inspiring.
Building a Collaborative Community
Although pharmacy owners are some of the nicest people on the planet, creating a culture of mentorship and collaboration within our independent pharmacy community has been difficult at times.
Because independent pharmacy is a cutthroat industry, many feel the need to protect what they have learned and hoard ‘secrets’ to maintain a competitive edge.
I wholeheartedly disagree with that sentiment. Mentorship in independent pharmacy lifts us all up. Our true enemies are the PBMs and their chain pharmacies. Not each other.
If you agree with that view, here are some tips for fostering mentorship in independent pharmacy.
1. Share Knowledge Freely: Don’t hold back valuable insights or strategies. Whether it’s a new marketing technique, an efficient workflow process, or tips on managing inventory, sharing these with your peers can elevate the entire community.
2. Encourage Open Communication: Create platforms where pharmacy owners can discuss challenges and share solutions. These platforms could be through local meetups, online forums, or social media groups dedicated to independent pharmacy owners. Feel free to join our free DiversifyRx group on Facebook.
3. Celebrate Each Other’s Successes: When a fellow pharmacy owner achieves a significant milestone, celebrate it. Acknowledging their success fosters a positive atmosphere and motivates others to strive for excellence.
4. Mentor Actively: Actively seek opportunities to mentor newer pharmacy owners. Offer your time and expertise to guide them through the complexities of running a pharmacy. Remember, their success reflects positively on your mentorship.
5. Continuously Learn: Mentorship is a two-way street. Be open to learning from your mentees as well. Their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas can provide valuable insights that you may not have considered. This emphasis on continuous learning is a key aspect of successful mentorship, keeping us open-minded and receptive to new ideas. A great place to learn is our BLOG.
6. Document and Share Experiences: As mentors, it’s essential to document our experiences and share them with the community. This can be through blogs, webinars, or even informal gatherings where we discuss our successes and failures. By doing so, we create a rich repository of knowledge that future generations can draw upon.
7. Develop Formal Mentorship Programs: Consider establishing formal mentorship programs within your pharmacy or through professional associations. These programs can match experienced pharmacy owners with those who are just starting, providing structured support and guidance. Many owners I know do this as a rotation site for a local pharmacy school.
The Mentor-Mentee Relationship: A Lifelong Journey
The mentor-mentee relationship is dynamic and evolving. As mentors, we must understand that our role is not to create clones of ourselves but to empower our mentees to become the best versions of themselves. This goal means encouraging them to think independently, take risks, and innovate.
On the flip side, as mentees, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate the contributions of our mentors. Even if we surpass them in certain areas, it’s crucial to honor their role in our journey. A simple gesture of gratitude, such as a thank-you note or a public acknowledgment, can go a long way in maintaining a healthy and respectful mentor-mentee relationship.
Reflecting on the Journey
I want to take a moment to honor one of my mentors who recently passed away suddenly.
Bobbie Barbrey was an amazing guy.
I really got to know him about 10 years ago when I did a 3-day compounding training inside his pharmacy. This training was a perfect example of the mentoring circle of life. He was paying me to teach him and his team about compounds. While there, he taught me one of the most important lessons of pharmacy ownership.
At the end of the three days, he gave me a full tour of his pharmacy operations and staff. Almost as a side note, he mentioned this is where we pack and ship all our supplement sales. I asked how much they do. He replied with an astounding number—one I had never heard before in the context of supplement sales from a small independent pharmacy.
That forever changed my perspective. Because of Bobby, I now had a whole new appreciation for what was possible for supplement sales. This new outlook has helped hundreds of other pharmacy owners 100x their supplement sales.
Bobby and I remained friends and colleagues. He was a Pharmacy Badass University member, and we regularly shared knowledge about new areas of health and pharmacy success. Bobby was addicted to learning. In the week before his death, he attended the popular Biohacking conference. We had plans to participate in next year’s together.
I am grateful for his friendship and mentorship spanning over a decade. I am better for it, and I helped other owners become better because of Bobby.
It’s a continuous cycle of learning, teaching, and evolving. Embracing this dynamic ensures that we, as a community, move forward together, each generation building upon the achievements of the previous one.
Let’s commit to mentoring actively, celebrating each other’s successes, and building a future where every pharmacy owner has the opportunity to excel. Together, we can achieve remarkable things.
