In this Q&A, Mike Zimic, founder of Human Scaffold, shares insights on his dynamic career shift from public school teaching to pharmaceutical sales, and ultimately to founding a healthcare consulting firm. His journey began when personal challenges and professional dissatisfaction prompted him to reconsider his career path. Re-entering the pharmaceutical industry enriched his experience and paved the way for his venture into entrepreneurship.
Mike discusses key lessons learned during his transitions, emphasizing patience and seizing opportunities. These principles not only guided his career but also now inform his strategies for improving healthcare communications and patient experiences. As healthcare continues to evolve, Mike's insights are invaluable for those looking to lead in this sector.
What motivated you to switch from a public school teacher to a career in pharmaceutical sales and eventually founding Human Scaffold?
A combination of a desire to learn and unencumbered ignorance.
I reached a bit of a wall in teaching. I was very open to experience and taught over 25 courses in high school and ran many extra-curricular activities, and I had no desire to become a vice-principal. In 2013 my son had a significant health issue, and that pushed me toward burn out because I soldiered-on and did not participate in “down-time” read: I worked from 7am-11pm every day. This opened my mind to change, and when serendipity knocked and an ex-co-worker connected with me out of the blue and asked if I’d ever consider coming back to Pharma…I was open to having that discussion.
I took the plunge and went back to industrial and gained a ton of management experience in my second stint.
I always wanted to start a business of my own. I felt that my “23 year MBA degree” (Mostly Blind Ambition) equipped me to take the leap. I had (and still have) a deep desire to help everyone/anyone to “get along”, so it was time to put my money where my mouth was.
What have been some of the biggest lessons you have learned during your career transitions?
There are too many lessons to count, so I will focus on two that immediately jump to mind: PATIENCE & TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY.
PATIENCE
When I left the corporate world for teaching, I had to start over - literally. I went from a healthy six-figure salary to starting at the bottom of the salary grid in a unionized, non-merit-based system. This taught me patience and helped me focus on learning for the sake of learning without worrying about attaching an external motivator i.e., money.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY
When I moved back to Pharma, this obsession with learning allowed me to go into overdrive! I couldn’t learn enough, and I really got a ton out of the opportunities that were presented to me. I worked for a small company where the sky was the limit with both opportunity and very few silos. I was able to wear multiple hats and learn from everyone. I feel very fortunate for both the opportunities I was provided, and the corresponding faith they had in me.
What strategies have you implemented to help health care leaders communicate more effectively and create better patient experiences?
After 3 years of continuously researching and working with numerous clients, I have distilled to 3 main strategies:
SELF-MASTERY: It doesn’t matter what your personality, strengths or areas of improvement are, it’s all about identifying them and then developing a plan to exploit them.
EFFORTLESS TEAM MANAGEMENT: This is a natural progression from the first step (self-mastery) to leadership. I teach a ‘common language’ of behaviours that helps to navigate daily ‘behavioural improvisations’. Once you’re able to do this, you can instantly identify behaviours in others and with some effort, leadership skills fall into place nicely.
REMARKABLE PATIENT EXPERIENCES: Every patient that walks through the door wants something from their physician/HCP, and they will express these needs in different ways, from: confrontational to conversational to shyness to apathy. Again, by using the common language learned from self-masters (being able to instantly recognize these behaviours) and embracing the ‘behavioural diversity’ of your patient population, you will be able to be more efficient with each patient interaction and the patient’s satisfaction with your care and corresponding treatments will flourish.
How do you think the delivery of health care will evolve in the next 3-5 years?
I believe that we are moving to a precision, team-based care that will be driven by technology e.g., genetic medicines, biomarkers for diagnosis, AI, etc. This will result in treatments tailored to each individual which will require a need for Health Care Professionals to vastly improve the continuity of care.
In short, communication will be the main determinant of success in the future of health care.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to transition into a leadership role in the health care industry?
First off, I’d congratulate them!
Next, I would ask them three questions:
Why are you taking on this leadership role?
How do you plan to find the balance between serving others and looking after yourself?
What expectations do you plan to focus on with your team?
I see more value in asking these questions, rather than simply providing advice. They may not have the answers right away, but if they start by thinking of these things, then this is an excellent first step in bringing value to the unique diversity of behaviors on their team.