Multidisciplinary management: why me?

Laboratory professionals are being asked more and more frequently to spread their wings and take on additional responsibilities in the form of multidisciplinary management. Multidisciplinary management can be described as the management of multiple departments with one or more being outside of the traditional laboratory department, such as respiratory care, pharmacy, radiology, or cardiodiagnostics. Reasons behind the trend in multidisciplinary management and why laboratory professionals often are asked to assume these roles will be explored. This column will cover how laboratory managers can prepare for the challenges of multidisciplinary management, what skills are necessary for these new roles, and how to prepare yourself to be the candidate of choice for these positions when they develop. Challenges often encountered will be discussed, including suggestions on how to turn potential difficulties into positive growth experiences. Hopefully, at the conclusion, you will be able to answer the question "Why me?"--either in the form of "Why have I been asked to take on this role?" or "Why might I want to pursue such a role with enthusiasm?"