Recently I watched a talk show interview with Carol Burnett.  Many of us remember the entire family sitting together to watch her weekly comedy show.  Her co-hosts, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway and Vicki Lawrence provided an excellent cast that kept you laughing the entire time! 

Carol Burnett has always been, and still remains, a gracious comedienne.  She speaks from the heart when she talks about her daughter Carrie and how she lost her battle to cancer a number of years ago.  But what really stands out is how she shows respect and honors Carrie for her lifework. 

As Carol described her years on her comedy show with her co-hosts she was complimented by the talk show host on her admiration and respect for her co-hosts and their contribution to the show.  Her response is what struck me as being so profound!  She said, “…you know, there are no second bananas.  All I had to do was give them as much leeway as they needed to do what they do best.  Our show was better because of them…” 

We as cancer registrars can learn so much from Carol Burnett.  While we may be the “star” of the show in our registry departments, our work is nothing without help from our co-hosts, meaning physicians, nurses, and administrators.  In fact, our customer base is so broad that we can, literally, include anyone we come into contact with, or anyone who works or serves our facility, as co-hosts or members of our cast. 

When we support and honor our cast and team, our show will thrive and be successful.  So, the reverse is also true.  Sad, but true.  If we insist on being the “star” and do not provide good leadership or support to our cast, then we will be labelled as the ego-driven, self-centered person that we portray in our behaviors and actions.  Of course, that is not what we as cancer registrars want others to see or think about us! 

So, how do we honor and respect our team?  That’s really the easy part!  Here are some suggestions:

• Show genuine interest in getting to know others.  Keep it professional and don’t snoop, but show genuine interest and caring.
• State your goals and objectives.  You can’t lead others if you don’t tell them where you are headed.  
• Communicate clearly and regularly.  Best way is to do this face-to-face.  Do not bomabard your team with endless and lengthy emails.
• Encourage a learning culture.  By the same token, be open to learning from your team.  As the leader your success is only as good as the weakest link on your team.  Encourage learning as a team sport.
• Maintain a careful balance between work and socializing.  Be fair and objective and never seen as playing favorites or excluding members of your team from work or outside events.
• Make generous use of humor.  Never make fun of others and do not tolerate others doing the same.
• Share leadership.  Avoid micromanaging and delegate responsibility and leadership opportunities.  I read somewhere that leaders should “park their egos.”
• Admit your mistakes.  You’re human, you will make them.  Make a point of showing how you learned from your mistakes. 
• Stand behind your team during difficult times.  Never throw them under the bus or abandon them to serve your own interests, regardless of your personal viewpoint

If you make a habit of practicing these simple concepts you will find that your repoire and leadership with your team will exceed your expectations.  Take on and assume the attitude and behaviors of successful people and those, like Carol Burnett, that exhibit the highest levels of respect and compassion.