Veteran Infection Preventionists Chat: What Are the Soft Skills That Make Strong IPs?

When most people think of infection prevention, they picture data dashboards, surveillance reports, and regulatory checklists. But ask any experienced infection preventionist (IP) what really determines success, and you’ll hear something different—it is the people skills.

During a recent Infection Control Today^® roundtable, veteran infection prevention professionals representing diverse roles and backgrounds reflected on the nonclinical skills that shaped their careers, the lessons learned the hard way, and the advice they would give to new IPs entering the field.

Their message was clear: Technical expertise may get you in the door, but emotional intelligence, communication, and systems thinking keep the door open.

Learning to Communicate Upward — and Effectively

“Short and sweet and to the point,” began Joi A. McMillon, MBA HA, BSN, CRRN, WCC, CIC, CJCP, HACP-CMS, AL-CIP, the CEO of JAB Infection Control Experts. “I wish I had understood better how to communicate effectively.”

She was reflecting on the early days of her career. “When I came in, I was very young and very passionate, but I didn’t have a mentor. I didn’t have anyone to help me translate that passion into communication that resonated with leadership,” she said. “When you’re not able to communicate effectively, you’re not just holding yourself back, you’re holding the entire program back.”

Her experience underscores a common challenge for new IPs who may know the science inside out but struggle to gain traction with the C-suite. Infection prevention is a field where evidence meets advocacy, and communication gaps can mean stalled initiatives or lost resources.

Emotional Intelligence: The Quiet Skill That Changes Everything

ICT contributing editor Carole W. Kamangu, MPH, RN, CIC, the CEO, founder, and principal infection prevention strategist for Dumontel Healthcare Consulting, took that point further, stressing the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

“I wish I had realized earlier that I needed emotional intelligence,” she said. “I was naturally good at challenging the status quo, but early on, I wasn’t doing it effectively. I knew what I wanted to change, but I didn’t always communicate it in a way that kept people engaged. When someone pushed back, I would take it personally and have the worst day.”

It took her years, she admitted, to learn to pause before entering a unit and ask herself: How am I feeling? How are they likely to react? That reflection transformed her interactions from combative to collaborative. “It’s about being aware of your own emotions before you even start the conversation,” she said. “That’s when productive dialogue can actually happen.”

Don’t Take It Personally — Take It Professionally

Lerenza L. Howard, DHSc, MHA, CIC, LSSGB, manager of infection prevention and quality improvement at La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, added another layer to the conversation: perspective.

“In the professional world, don’t take it personal,” she advised. “As IPs, we’re partnering with a multitude of stakeholders, all with competing priorities. You need emotional intelligence and effective communication to empathize with that, and still strategically navigate your initiative to the finish line.”

She emphasized systems thinking—understanding how infection prevention fits into the larger operational web of a hospital. “Knowing where your department fits in helps you propose initiatives and request resources more effectively,” she said. “It’s not just about infection control. It’s about how infection control supports the system as a whole.”

Top Three Skills for Every IP

When asked for her essentials, Nathaniel Napolitano, MPH, the CEO of Nereus Health Consulting and a health care epidemiologist for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, didn’t hesitate.

“Interpersonal communication for relationship management—that’s number 1. Otherwise, nothing gets done, or it gets done painfully,” she said. “Number 2: confidence in decision-making. Trust your gut. And number 3: creative problem-solving. Because you will face problems you never imagined would fall within your scope.”

Kamangu quickly added with a laugh, “Nathan is a very creative person. I love working with him,” highlighting that creativity isn’t just a “nice to have” in infection prevention; it’s survival.

The Ripple Effect of Systems Thinking

Echoing earlier remarks, Missy Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, a consultant for IP&C Consulting and a former nurse, described the “ripple effect” mindset as essential.

“Realize it’s not all about you,” she said. “What you do has a ripple effect. We’re all connected. What I do affects you, and what you do affects me. That awareness changes how you communicate — it makes you listen as much as you speak.”

Her point struck a chord with the group: infection prevention doesn’t exist in isolation. It depends on relationships, interdepartmental trust, and shared accountability.

Say It So They Can’t Misunderstand It

Then came one of the most memorable takeaways of the session, from Garrett Hollembeak, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CIC, system infection preventionist for medical device reprocessing at Bon Secours Mercy Health in Cincinnati, Ohio: “There’s a difference between saying something so the person understands and saying something so they can’t misunderstand it.”

Too often, she said, communication breakdowns happen even when everyone has good intentions. “You send the email, you tell them what to do, and then it doesn’t happen,” she said. “So ask yourself: Is there any other way this could be misunderstood? It may take a few tries [to figure out a way.]”

Perseverance and Mentorship for New IPs

As the discussion shifted to advice for new IPs, Howard, offered a story of resilience. “It took me years to transition into infection prevention,” she shared. “My background was in medical technology, and every application came with rejection. But perseverance is key. Keep applying, keep connecting, and get strategic.”

She credited mentorship and networking with making the difference. “Join your local APIC chapter, reach out for informational interviews, shadow an IP if you can,” she said. “Put a face to your name. Even if you’re not in the IP space yet, start building those relationships.”

Taking Initiative and Building Confidence

Kamangu followed up with advice rooted in experience: “For aspiring or new IPs, taking initiative is key,” she said. “You have to learn to be independent quickly. Get involved in a project — even if it scares you.”

She recalled volunteering for a Candida auris project at her facility without knowing where to start. “That project…boosted my self-confidence.” She said that if you don’t take initiative, imposter syndrome will take over. You’ll always stay in the background.

The Power of Mentorship and Paying It Forward

Returning to the theme of guidance, McMillon emphasized how much mentorship would have changed her early trajectory. “If we’d had programs like this back then, we would’ve avoided a lot of [struggle],” she said. “Mentorship helps you navigate the challenges of the role, communicate effectively, and challenge the status quo professionally.”

She paused and added warmly, “As a mentor now, it’s so fulfilling to know you can be that difference-maker in someone’s career, to empower them to step up, no matter their…background.”

Expect the Unexpected

“Be dynamic and expect disruption,” said Napolitano, drawing laughter from the group. “What’s on your calendar might not be what you end up doing. That one thing that pops up could become your focus for the next week, or the next 5 years.”

Lifelong Learning and Self-Reflection

To that, Hollembeak added, “Learn whatever you can. Every advancement we’ve made in public health and infection prevention started with someone discovering something new. Take the webinars, read the textbooks, soak up every bit of knowledge.”

And Travis closed the loop with humor and wisdom: “As my kids say, I grew up in the 1900s. We used to say, ‘Check yourself before you wreck yourself.’ That’s my advice.”

The Takeaway: IPs as Leaders, Not Enforcers

Infection preventionists often wear the hat of educator, advocate, diplomat, and crisis manager—all before lunch. What unites the best among them, this panel revealed, isn’t just what they know, but how they connect.

From emotional intelligence and mentorship to creative problem-solving and perseverance, the modern IP isn’t defined by sterile technique alone, but by their ability to lead through influence and empathy.