Program Prepares Caregivers to Maximize Their Potential

Cleveland Clinic database developer Damon Ninham wanted the opportunity to lead a team and make a difference in others’ careers – but first, he needed a better understanding of his own.

Hoping to leverage his professional strengths, Ninham joined Lead Forward: Harnessing Potential, a Cleveland Clinic program designed to empower aspiring leaders by enhancing their self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Ninham says the experience enabled him to step back from his busy day-to-day activities to reflect on bigger goals.

“The program opened my eyes and gave me a clearer view of my own work style, which has helped me grow as a person and a leader,” he says. “Knowing how to leverage my strengths and weaknesses has changed my perspective on the professional opportunities I encounter.”

Shaping careers

Designed for ambitious, high-performing employees without direct reports, Lead Forward: Harnessing Potential is centered around a comprehensive suite of self-assessment tools that are designed to “enlighten caregivers” as they navigate their career paths, says Cleveland Clinic program manager Emily Tabar, MBA. Caregivers can nominate themselves for the annual, six-month course, which is available in person and virtually.

“We’re looking for caregivers who exhibit our organization’s values, are capable of quickly learning and mastering skills, foster innovation in their work and know how to build strong relationships,” Tabar explains. “Harnessing Potential provides participants with the tools, training and experience they need to adopt a leader mindset. In addition, it gives caregivers an important opportunity to connect and build relationships with their peers from across the organization.”

Harnessing Potential is one of three Lead Forward programs created to support growth and development at Cleveland Clinic. In addition, the program provides Empowering Others (a course for current leaders) and Transforming Enterprise (a course for professional staff).

“We’ve tried to create a suite of programs that meets the needs of caregivers at every stage of their career,” Tabar adds.

Finding deeper meaning

During her 19 years at Cleveland Clinic, senior physical therapist Holly Fredericks has sometimes craved more responsibility, leadership opportunities and challenges – but she hasn’t always known which direction to take. In 2023, however, she participated in Harnessing Potential, which provided the inspiration she needed to kick off the next phase of her career.

"When I started my career, I never really developed a plan that extended past being a physical therapist,” Fredericks says. “I eventually realized that I wanted to grow personally and professionally and move into a role that demanded more leadership responsibilities. Harnessing Potential allowed me to reset, get moving and prepare for the future."

While in the program, Fredericks completed a strengths assessment that put her back in touch with a life goal she developed during childhood: Make people smile. She says the exercise reinforced the importance of building relationships and trust — and helped clarify her career aspirations.

“By engaging with the curriculum and connecting with the mentors I met, I realized my own thoughts were preventing me from seeing myself as a leader,” Fredericks adds. “The experience confirmed that I want to be in a role that brings people together and spurs positive change.”

Building futures

Since participating in Harnessing Potential last year, nurse Jennifer Malloy, MSN, RN, PCCN, says she has found more fulfillment in her career as well. An assistant nurse manager on the cardiovascular step-down unit at Main Campus, Malloy is one of the 27% of participants who have been promoted since completing Lead Forward.

“The experience instilled in me the importance of always taking a few moments to connect with my peers on a human level before going into a meeting or discussing something work-related,” she says. “This approach has helped me develop richer connections while building a stronger professional network.”

Outcomes like Malloy’s are increasingly common, Tabar notes. Indeed, according to a 2024 survey, 78% of Lead Forward participants reported greater engagement in their work after completing the program.

“We want to help our employees align their personal values with their professional aspirations,” Tabar says. “These success stories illustrate how eager caregivers are for growth and self-discovery.”