PURPOSE:
Through a presentation of fictionalized vignettes, photographs, and recorded sound from my anthropological research in Ontario, Canada, I will provide a rich demonstration and analysis of four key "non-clinical" midwifery skills: deep listening, presence, flexibility, and "yes" mentality. How do Ontario midwives use and teach these skills (and sometimes struggle to do so) in the face of increasing clinical scope of practice? The audience will not only feel affirmation of their own "invisible" skillsets but will be inspired to ensure such skills are at the fore of midwifery leadership and recognized as unique and essential expertise. Together we will imagine a midwifery-led women’s healthcare future where the clinical and non-clinical are seen as inextricable from each other, equally valued educationally, professionally, and institutionally.

DISCUSSION:
It’s easy to see the exemplary clinical skills of midwives: monitoring maternal and infant health, catching babies, suturing, managing medications, assisting with surgeries – skills measured by technical accuracy and tangible outcomes. It’s easy to see how these skills can be scaled and operationalized to support clinical midwifery leadership and to fill gaps in healthcare systems. It follows that it’s easy to see how such skills are prioritized in midwifery education and professional development. What is easy to see, is easy to showcase and value, individually, professionally, and systemically. But midwives are equally skilled at deep listening, active and intentional presence, emotional-regulation, empathy, flexibility, resourcefulness, and having a "yes" mentality: skills that are felt more than seen – an "invisible" skillset.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
My ongoing doctoral research (interviews, discourse analysis, participant observation) works to really see the invisible skillset of midwives, to see how such skills are enacted, maintained, and taught.

KEY MESSAGE:
To see the invisible midwifery skillset is the first step towards showcasing, valuing, and leading with skills that have the potential to revolutionize birthing care education, practice, and institutions. Professional development - identity (including three-minute presentation competition)