Lived experience as a leadership asset

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Leadership
• Mental Health Studies
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Complex mental health conditions can present challenges in professional settings.
• Stigma surrounding diagnoses like borderline personality disorder (BPD) often leads to career risks.
• Personal disclosure of mental health status is a complex decision for professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of lived experience with complex mental health conditions as an asset in health leadership.
• To examine the impact of disclosing a BPD diagnosis on a healthcare career.
• To advocate for destigmatization and inclusivity in the workplace.

Main Methods:

• Personal narrative and reflective essay.
• Analysis of the author's journey with BPD diagnosis and career progression.
• Exploration of the decision-making process regarding disclosure.

Main Results:

• Reframing BPD from a weakness to a source of leadership strength.
• Disclosure of diagnosis can combat stigma and foster understanding.
• Lived experience offers unique perspectives valuable for innovation.

Conclusions:

• Health leaders with lived experience can lead by example, normalizing mental health discussions.
• Embracing authenticity and inclusivity benefits the workplace and reduces stigma.
• Individuals with BPD and other mental health conditions can be powerful assets in health leadership.