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Listening is an underrated skill that improves the quality of thinking

Listening is an under rated skill in human communication. Doctors, psychologists and many other clinicians assume themselves to be good active listeners, the evidence is not so partisan.  There is research for example showing that doctors interrupt their patients after a median of 11 seconds. In the leadership literature there is research to show that the […]

How do doctors receive feedback that truly makes a difference to their performance?

How do doctors receive feedback that truly makes a difference to their performance? The real likelihood of doctors receiving good developmental feedback about how they interact with others, about their professional or leadership behaviours, or their future goals is low. The many groups doctors interact with have different vested interests, meaning their feedback prioritises different […]

How do you action your top priorities?

What are your top priorities and how do you action them?  Maybe one priority is to do work that is satisfying and fulfilling.How do you measure such a priority? How do you know if you are succeeding? What is a satisfying or fulfilling work life?  What factors need to be present, and how often? Derek Sivers said […]

Coaching promotes growth and development by cultivating insight

Doctors take pride in being independent thinkers. Our system requires them to be and trains them to be. Doctors are the decision makers, the leaders, that’s what we all believe right? Does that mean that you, as a doctor, are less likely to ask for help than other professionals? Perhaps. Most adults want autonomy and […]

Doctors should show no weakness

Doctors are tending to their human weaknesses in coaching and therapy, they just can’t tell anyone. There is a very strong cultural message in medicine which says – show no weakness. This story means that doctors who work with a coach or a therapist are reluctant to tell anyone about what they are doing, for […]

Is there a High Performance Doctor in the house who is thriving?

Every doctor I have coached has been a high achiever to be practicing medicine. Many would not describe themselves that way when they arrive at coaching, despite the evidence on their CV. Blame imposter phenomenon, perfectionism, burnout, the system. They are demoralised or conflicted, lacking clarity about their future in medicine. Even those who are […]

How to be more balanced and fulfilled, working in medicine.

The Thriving Doctor – How to be more balanced and fulfilled, working in medicine. It’s no secret that doctors are under pressure. COVID-19 has amplified their workplace stress, threatened their own wellbeing and demanded they work in conditions few others have to consider. When doctors are well, patient health outcomes and experience improve according to […]