Dispensing Leadership: Growth vs. Goals

In episode 10 of Dispensing Leadership, Shawn Bjorndal, PharmD, RPh, and Jesse McCullough, PharmD, discussed their perspectives on the differences between growth and goals as pharmacy professionals take on the new year.

“For health care to get better, it's going to happen largely built on the impact that community pharmacies have; be that independent, chain, grocery, however it is that you differentiate that,” said McCullough. “[But] to do that, we all need to get better, and you can have some goals. I would not discourage you from having goals. I would actually encourage you to have this growth mindset.”

To help ring in the new year, our hosts are back in 2026 to discuss what they believe pharmacy professionals should be prioritizing on a day-to-day basis, from setting sights on an ambitious goal that may be out of reach to focusing on personal growth before seeking out greater achievements.

In the first installment of 2026, Dispensing Leadership hosts explore the aforementioned ideas of goals vs. growth, the laws of cause and effect, and how it all encapsulates the role of community pharmacists in the US. From their mindsets to their internal thoughts and ideas, Bjorndal and McCullough provide some much-needed direction for a pharmacy profession facing significant uncertainty.

Whether it’s the personal goals and growth—either for high-ranking pharmacy leadership or everyday practice employees—the duo addresses key considerations when reaching for either. They also explored the intent of every pharmacy employee to truly “level” up in their profession, or within themselves.

In Dispensing Leadership, a podcast offering from Drug Topics and RPhAlly, Bjorndal and McCullough discuss essential leadership skills for pharmacists, how to develop them, and how to advance the pharmacy profession. All new episodes of Dispensing Leadership will be available in a video format via DrugTopics.com on the second Monday of each month. Check out our December episode: Dispensing Leadership: Taking Calculated Risks.

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