Learning to Lead: Reflections from the Tideswell-AGS-ADGAP Emerging Leaders in Aging Program Scholars

The Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging (ELIA) Program is a 1-year leadership training program focused on developing a sustainable pipeline of leaders in aging who are poised to lead initiatives that will optimize the health of older people. The Tideswell ELIA Program is jointly administered by the American Geriatrics Society, the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs, and Tideswell at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), a program within the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF. The ELIA Program prepares early to midcareer healthcare professionals in aging (scholars) for their transition into key leadership roles that involve one or more areas of patient care, education, and research. The program emphasizes the understanding of one's own and others' inherent work strategies and communication styles as integral to leading programs. Approximately 15 ELIA scholars are selected annually to participate in this interactive leadership development program. We conducted a qualitative analysis of program evaluations from 2015 to 2018 scholars (n = 47) to determine effectiveness and impact. All scholars (100%) completed the end-of-training survey. Scholars' satisfaction with the program is high. Scholars reported heightened leadership development and improvements in leadership skills, including communication, team building, and self-awareness. Scholars also reported enhancement of personal leadership attributes that contributed to career advancement. The Tideswell ELIA Program accelerates scholars' personal career development, positively impacts their institutions, and ultimately benefits older people. Sustaining leadership programs such as the Tideswell ELIA Program is vital to ensure a continuous pipeline of leaders skilled in both advocating for and advancing the health of older Americans. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:434-436, 2019.