Finding Balance and Minimizing Self-doubt: A Q&A with Lisa Thrasher-Stallard

Throughout your career, not everyone will agree with your decisions. It’s important to remain confident in yourself and your abilities, says Lisa Thrasher-Stallard, MLS(ASCP), and it's what she advises colleagues whom she mentors. That confidence is vital to maintaining your own self-esteem as a leader and to minimize self-doubt. An active duty member of the United States Air Force and Flight Chief, Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, Ms. Thrasher-Stallard has faced a number of challenges in her career, and she shares some of her experiences here. 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in this profession, and how has it shaped your career?  
One specific challenge I face is work-life balance. Society has created this expectation that the woman does the majority of cooking and cleaning in the home, and that is not easy when Mom is employed full-time, just like Dad. So, it really can create frustration in the marriage if there isn’t an agreement of home life workload between a married couple.
 
This challenge has slowed my progression toward my degree completion. I started my Master’s degree in 2016 and expected to complete it in two years; however, an unexpected pregnancy intercepted that plan. I’m sure many women have had this similar set-back due to conflicts in being a mother and a full-time employee. Repeatedly, I find myself juggling my career, education and family. I frequently feel guilty for taking time away from the family so that I can do schoolwork, especially since I am already gone full time (50 to 60 hours a week) due to military obligations. I have shifted my sleep schedule so that I go into work two to three hours early instead of staying late, so that time is not taken away from my husband and children. After 20 years of military service, I am expected to have figured this schedule out to make all things work, but I still stumble. Being a mother and wife are most important to me, so I have made peace with the fact that my career and education will progress slowly. The race is not always in favor of the speedy; the dedicated turtle can still win.  

Tell us about a defining moment in your career. How did it impact the trajectory of your career, for better or worse? How did it impact your path to leadership?
A defining moment in my career was September 11, 2001. I was on active duty stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. I remember standing in the laboratory watching the news and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Within moments, laboratory technicians became Security Forces augmentees assisting with protecting the hospital perimeter and the base. I remember thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this! I’m supposed to be in the laboratory doing all things lab!” But as military lab techs, we do what is needed, regardless of our primary skill set.  Thankfully, we were able to provide assistance so Security Forces could have some relief from their new grueling schedule that included enormous amounts of added measures to protect and defend the base.

Fast forward to March 2020. Today’s fight is not against an enemy we can search and find or shoot with a gun. This enemy is invisible! Unlike September 11, 2001, where lab techs became Security Forces augmentees in a matter of moments, we cannot augment just anyone to become a medical laboratory scientist overnight. The fight against COVID-19 has made laboratory technicians a human bullet. Although 2020 was a challenging year, I appreciate the lessons it has taught me. I learned more about leading through a crisis and forging leaders through hardship. My lab is now comprised of stronger technicians, sharper leaders and a more resilient team as a result of this global pandemic. 

What challenges or barriers do women in leadership positions in health care face?
I believe that women are seen as being “too emotional” and often times our decision making is questioned by others. The common reference to “hormones” as being a contributing factor for anything related to discipline for veering away from standards is one thing that irritates me the most. This stereotype of women is why I have modified my leadership methods entirely. I now place extreme emphasis on re-occurring feedback and documentation. I also prioritize thorough fact finding before making decisions so that I am prepared to prove my case when my decisions are questioned. Essentially, I treat every incident as if I am going to court. This becomes a cumbersome process that requires a substantial amount of time. My days become longer and my nights become shorter. It’s quite exhausting. Over time, I am able to earn credibility for fair decision making. Unfortunately, as soon as I earn this solid reputation, I usually get orders to move and the cycle starts all over again.