How has ASDA helped you build your leadership skills?
When I was in my first year of dental school, ASDA was the first organization that provided me with the opportunity to get involved in leadership at UCLA’s School of Dentistry. From working with the UCLA ASDA leadership and the business symposium team, I worked to plan and host the UCLA ASDA Business Symposium, which often attracts hundreds of attendees. Running the team led to learning a lot about leadership, especially through navigating the hurdles that the COVID-19 pandemic imposed. In this way, ASDA helped me build my leadership skills as I learned how to lead a team through times of uncertainty, motivate team members behind a cause, and find each person’s strengths that could complement other team members’ strengths, to accomplish tasks efficiently and effectively. Looking back, I see how these leadership skills have translated into being successful in other leadership roles in other organizations, and I plan to continue building upon these leadership skills as a dentist as well.
What do you think is the most vital quality in a leader?
I believe that having great communication is the foundational quality of a leader. It’s vital to have clear and direct communication with all members of the team. Whether it’s communicating a clear vision to rally others behind the mission of the organization, communicating roles and expectations, or communicating how committed you are to the team, each person’s work, and their development, communication lays the foundation for success within the team. As a leader, creating an atmosphere where transparent communication is valued is also critical to the success of the team. I have found that valuing transparent communication makes other know that they can voice their concerns and opinions, which can help find weaknesses or blind spots, and ultimately help the team achieve its goals.
Why should members get involved with ASDA leadership positions?
ASDA leadership positions are the gateway to a fun, rewarding, and valuable dental school experience. By getting involved, members can also enrich their dental school experience by learning real-world skills that are not taught in the dental school classroom, such as great leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. I have found these skills to be especially important as I’ve transitioned from the classroom into the clinic and working with patients from all walks of life. The different ASDA leadership positions also provide a venue to discover causes and passions that you can rally behind and help with, which in turn helps you grow and develop both personally and professionally, whether those positions are focused on advocacy, pre-dental initiatives, or the myriad of other opportunities that ASDA provides.
What future leadership roles in organized denstiry interest you and why?
I really enjoy helping to expand access to dental education and providing resources and opportunities for pre-dental students and dental students because I understand and empathize with the difficulties of being a pre-dental and dental student. As part of that mission, I’ve served as the Pre-Dental and GoDental Liaison for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and plan to continue being a part of organized dentistry through ADEA and the American Dental Association (ADA). I currently serve on the AADSAS Advisory Board for ADEA, which is something I plan to continue, and hope to get more involved with the ADA’s focus on dental education. Lastly, I plan to continue mentoring pre-dentals through my pre-dental mentoring initiative, Predenting.