This guide has been developed by FMLM as one of the outputs from the Improving leadership and management training and assessment for doctors in postgraduate training project which was generously funded by the Dinwoodie Charitable Company. The project aimed to develop practical, innovative, and evidence-based guidance on delivering leadership development and assessing medical trainees’ knowledge, skills, and behaviours in leadership across the UK. You can read more about the project here.

This guide provides a framework and signposting to relevant information about leadership and management development for doctors in training and their trainers/supervisors. Much of the content is applicable to everyone, however, we have clearly signposted information as to what it is for and how it might be used. The guide comprises short narrative sections on various topics with links to relevant supporting information or activities, such as GMC or Royal College documents.  

Our aim in producing this guide is to provide you with a range of information and ideas about how you can support doctors’ leadership development. Many formal leadership development activities such as workshops or courses exist, and these are important for introducing or expanding on knowledge and skills.  Access to these is variable and because much evidence exists to show that leadership is primarily developed through practical experience in the workplace and elsewhere, we have chosen to focus on how to help trainees and trainers identify opportunities to develop leadership and management skills in the workplace.