As this year's Harvard Macy Program for Educators in Health Professions course drew to a close, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Harvard Macy Institute, I spent some extra time reflecting on what I learned this year, and why I keep coming back. The answer, I realized, surprised me.

I first came to the course in 2013 as a scholar. Like many others, I was in awe of the learning environment, and overwhelmed by the work. I spent long days and nights trying to keep up with the readings and assignments, and faced the humbling experience of having my project, which I had worked so hard on, get (significantly) revised by the new information I was taking in. When I left, I was physically and emotionally drained, yet I couldn't wait to come back. What was wrong with me?

In June 2019, a postcard came in the mail from my past self. At first, I was confused to receive a photo of Boston, where I live, but I recognized my own handwriting with my favorite blue super-fine pen. It was my 6-month follow-up postcard that I had written at the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Post-Graduate Trainees.

Competency based medical education (CBME) is an outcomes-based time-independent concept that is informing curricular innovation across the country and beyond. The roll out of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) has incited discussion about workplace-based assessment in the context of entrustment.

I recently had the opportunity to present at the Dell Medical School Palliative Care Grand Rounds. I was fresh from attending the Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in the Health Professions, and more fully aware of the significant learning benefits of an interactive lecture. I now had evidence that there are better ways to present material that would help people learn. Plus, I had experience as a learner that engaging, interactive lectures were just way more fun. Now I just had to figure out how to create one…

Despite numerous calls for an increase in physician leaders and leadership development in medical education, a 2018 systematic review found significant gaps exist in (1) understanding the best ways to teach leadership, (2) assessing and understanding the value of leadership training, and (3) overall reporting of curricula design. Participants in the August #HMIchat explored myths of leadership and leadership development, shared crucial advice, passed on resources, and discussed innovative ways to teach and develop leadership skills both in and beyond medical education. The chat was rich with ideas and resources to help us become better leaders.

 Here is a recap of some of the common themes and ideas shared by our community.

What are some common myths about leadership?

• Leaders cannot show vulnerability; they must have all the answers… be the smartest in the room (@joshuadhartzell)

• Men are better leaders than woman (@alexandralw2)

• Everyone has the same access to leadership opportunities. Reality: There remains incredible bias and sponsorship is one way to work to create equity in leadership (@SusanHingle)

• You have to be an extrovert to be a leader (@KFabsMD)

• Leaders can only lead after they have “done their time” (@DrJRMarcelin)

As we discussed these myths, @Javeedsukhera remarked how “many myths related to leadership perpetuate gender and racial biases...make us question our leadership skills and competencies because we don’t ‘look’ like leaders.” In busting these myths, the #HMIchat turned to the critical value of personal mentors, coaches and sponsors in developing leaders, especially for women and minorities.

What are some common myths about teaching leadership: