Developing character-based leadership in medical education

Nabil’s fellowship focused on nurturing compassionate care using character-based leadership (CBL). CBL is a leadership education approach that stresses a commitment to values and principles in the face of everyday situational pressures. CBL emphasizes a sense of a higher purpose, as well as integrity and commitment to one’s principles. It helps leaders do the right things when times are challenging. Compassion is a core element of the CBL framework.

Nabile used CBL in his AMS-funded fellowship to: 

• Adapt an Ivey Business School framework to CBL so it could work in the practice of medicine
• Raise awareness about CBL
• Conduct qualitative research about the potential for using CBL in medical education
• Build a network of individuals who could champion CBL in their local environments

His efforts contributed to a better appreciation of the importance of character development in medicine. He’s hopeful that we’ll see a stronger commitment from medical educators and practitioners to using character development in their work.