Achieving your potential as an AHP

Linda Hindle, Deputy Chief Allied Health Professional Officer for England, shares her insights and tips on enhancing your career and growing your potential as an AHP.

When I look back over my 35-year career as a dietitian, there are some skills and behaviours I’ve learnt that I think have made a big difference to how I’m perceived, the outcomes I achieve, and my enjoyment of work. I hope these tips will give you useful insights and help you think about how your own experiences can be used to shape your future careers as allied health professionals (AHPs) too. 

1. Know your strengths and play to them

We all have a unique set of strengths: these are the aspects of our personality and way of working that come naturally to us. I realised over time that rather than constantly striving to improve my weaknesses, it made more sense to focus on these natural strengths and build on them. By doing this, work became more enjoyable and I became recognised for my strengths to such an extent that my weaknesses were less relevant.   

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2. Believe in yourself

Have you ever sat in a meeting thinking ‘I can’t make a point because it is obvious, my colleagues must have already considered that’?  I have come to realise that what is obvious to me is not necessarily obvious to other people with different strengths, perspectives and experiences. 

It is really important that we feel empowered to give our perspective because those executive colleagues sitting at the top of our organisations need and want to hear our solutions to the challenges they face. 

3. Take opportunities and try new things

When the pressure is on, it is all too tempting to put your head down and just get on with the day job, however by taking on additional opportunities we can widen our future career prospects, raise our profile, and improve our services.  I can honestly say that every opportunity I have taken has reaped more rewards than the effort I had to put in.  Sometimes the ‘pay back’ has been years down the line e.g. by enabling me to demonstrate wider competencies in a job application. 

4. Be nice, have fun, develop others and give back

Whilst this may sound cheesy, it is so true.  Not only is this approach to working good for your mental wellbeing but it helps you to be more effective.  People generally enjoy working with colleagues who they feel want the best for them and therefore are more likely to want to help you to achieve your outcomes.  Many times now, I have come across colleagues from the past in new contexts and because I previously had a good relationship with them, I can approach them for help and advice.  

5. Develop and maintain relationships

We can achieve so much more by working with other people. I’ve never been in a situation where I got a better outcome doing something on my own than I would have in partnership with other colleagues and organisations. It is always helpful to consider who else could have an interest in your priority and what they would get out of working in partnership with you. Invite them to join in and always make sure they are credited. 

6. Be mindful of the future

Whilst juggling the demands of the day, always keep an eye to the needs of the future. This will help you position your service or your career to take best advantage of the opportunities that will arise.  Do this with a sense of optimism, believing that tomorrow can be better than today. 

7. Develop your profile and promote your work

Just because we know we do a great job, it doesn’t mean others are aware of our achievements. We need to talk about what we do well and keep talking about it. This doesn’t mean bragging. Ways to raise awareness of your work include developing your elevator pitch, increasing your profile on social media, applying for awards, and taking on new opportunities such as working with the media or speaking at conferences. 

These tips have helped me throughout my career. I am sure you will have your own experiences and tips that you can share with colleagues that have helped you and could help others as well. As AHPs we can support each other to improve our careers and prepare for healthcare leadership by sharing and learning from each other’s experiences.  

Linda will be sharing more of her insights and knowledge in person at our upcoming Connect England event, held in Manchester on 17 October 2024. Book your place at Connect England today.