New Book Blog! Wolfpack

Embracing Leadership and Unity: A Reflection on Abby Wambach’s Wolfpack

When I first picked up Abby Wambach’s Wolfpack, I was admittedly skeptical even though it was at the recommendation of a friend and was highly rated by the New York Times. The book, a clear feminist call to action, seemed like it might be too “radical” for me. However, as I delved into its pages – as it’s a quick, fun read - I found myself resonating deeply with Wambach’s principles. Many of her “rules” mirrored the very things I had learned from my parents’ strong faith that their kids “could be / do anything my wanted” if they worked hard and respected others. Wambach’s message is not just for athletes or women in leadership; it is a universal call to unite as a team to create a more equal and just world. This is a message that seems to resonate profoundly with medical educators, who are often at the forefront of advocating for equity and justice in the clinical learning environment and healthcare.

Key Takeaways from Wolfpack

Wambach’s Wolfpack is built around eight rules designed to empower individuals and foster collective strength. Here are some of the rules that stood out to me (some of which I’ve combined):

• Create Your Own Path: Often medical educators ask, “What’s the career path to leadership?”  I advise, don’t wait for permission to lead. Take the initiative and carve out your own path aligned with your values and those of your organization. If they don’t align – move on.
• Be Grateful, But Do Not Play Small: Appreciate your achievements, but always strive for more. Failure means you’re “in the game” and is a dirty word only if you don’t learn from it.  Use setbacks as learning opportunities as those experiences becomes wisdom and power to claim what you deserved.
• Demand the Ball and Lead from the Bench: Ask for what you want. Do not be afraid make your voice heard. Find a way to “speak truth to power”.  Yet leadership is not about being in the spotlight. Support and uplift your faculty, learners and med education team – as every leader knows - it takes a team to make a difference!  Be there for each other.

• Champion & Celebrate Each Other: Often when we complete a project, graduate another class, or finish a grant we just say, “whew that’s done” and move onto the next thing. We forget to truly celebrate each other’s work and our own. Put meaning behind it, nominate your colleagues for an award, a position they seek or applaud them for taking time to be with family/friends. 

• Find Your Pack: Surround yourself with people who support and challenge you to bring your best self. Together, we are always better!

In conclusion

Wolfpack is a strategy for a new kind of leadership. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Wamback holds the world record for most international goals for both female and male soccer players and is an advocate for women as leaders, not just in soccer but in life. She challenges us to rethink our roles and responsibilities, not just as individuals, but as members of a collective, all of whom are striving to transform the world through our leadership in medical education.

Deborah “Deb” Simpson is by training an educational psychologist whose career has been in medical education. She is currently the director of education for academic affairs at Advocate Aurora Health – now a part Advocate Health and Deputy Editor for the Journal of Graduate Medical Education. Located in Milwaukee, she is a professor (clinical adjunct) in Family and Community Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health & the Medical College of Wisconsin.