Passionate about helping employees strengthen their leadership skills and prepare for future leadership opportunities, Steven Minkin, D.M., brings more than 33 years of leadership experience across the federal and private sectors to his role as senior leadership development specialist with the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office.
Throughout his career, Minkin has served in military leadership, executive management, and graduate education. These experiences have shaped his approach to developing leaders and mentoring professionals at different stages of their careers.
Learn more about Minkin’s professional journey, his approach to leadership development, and the advice that continues to guide his work.
What is your professional background, and what led you to the Leadership Development Office?
Minkin: I spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired in the rank of Colonel. During my time in the service, I had the opportunity to lead individuals around the globe, including two tours at the Pentagon.
After my time in the service, I was recruited to take on the role of CEO and President for an Alabama-based IT and data analytics service provider. In addition to my time in the Air Force, I have been an adjunct graduate school faculty member for over 20 years.
What interested you about working in leadership development?
Minkin: I have always had a passion for growing the next generation of leaders. In the Air Force, I had the opportunity to serve as chair for leadership development at Eaker School within Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. This opportunity ignited my desire to train and develop leaders both formally in the classroom, and informally as a coach/mentor.
The opportunity with the Leadership Development Office is a perfect alignment with my lifelong quest to educate future leaders.
Can you tell us a little about your role with the Leadership Development Office and what you enjoy most about your work?
Minkin: As a leadership development specialist, I have the privilege of helping our amazing UAB Medicine team grow in their leadership skills. From personal to professional development and growth, the LDO team helps our employees not only improve their leadership skills, but also prepares them for the leadership opportunities that lie ahead of them in their careers.
What have you learned from working with leaders and teams across UAB that has influenced your own approach to work or leadership?
Minkin: In all my years of coaching and developing leaders, I have rarely seen an organization that takes proactive leadership development as seriously as UAB Medicine.
Most institutions promote individuals into leadership roles and then hope it works out, and the newly minted leaders will succeed in their tasks. UAB Medicine, however, is all about preparing individuals before they lead. This is a huge investment in our human capital and speaks volumes about UAB Medicine’s leadership in proactively developing a high-quality workforce that is ready to meet the leadership challenges of tomorrow before they arrive.
Is there a leadership experience, mentor, or lesson that has had a lasting impact on you?
Minkin: I had a mentor years ago in the military who would always say to the team to remember that, “every day is a job interview.” It was the most powerful advice I ever received.
Every day, we are on stage, and must choose to do our best and put our best effort forward. We also need to remember that every day, someone is watching us. What message are you sending through the way you engage, communicate, respond, and lead?
What aspect of leadership development do you find most meaningful or rewarding?
Minkin: Teaching different tools to students is the most rewarding aspect of leadership development training. Each leadership challenge and situation is unique and influenced by a variety of factors. Not every technique, model, or approach will work in every situation.
Developing leaders need a diverse leadership toolkit so when the challenge shows up—and they always do—they will have the resources already in their toolkit to take them head-on.