Here’s more sound advice for doctors from Dr. Bryan Paulose…
Qualities Which Ensure a Doctor’s Success in the Corporate World
While the scale of opportunity for doctors is very good in the corporate sector, how a doctor presents him/herself through their resume, the values they add to the company, the areas they’re passionate about and their willingness to work hard is always a good recipe for gaining employment in the corporate sector.
The hunger for learning by recognizing that doctors don’t know everything there is to know is an important mindset to possess. It’s also crucial for doctors to pay it forward. In this respect, Dr Paulose follows the principle of Kaizen, a Japanese concept that his father instilled in him from young. Kaizen is premised on the idea of a commitment to continuous improvement. For Dr Paulose, continuous improvement of self ought to positively correlate to the continuous improvement and well being of the fraternity/community one is a part of.
It’s also vital to have respect for everyone in a company, even those who disagree with our opinion. Recognizing in humility and open-mindedness that our ideas for a particular plan or program at work could be flawed is also a priceless quality to possess. Additionally, we all learn from our mistakes. If mistakes have been made, it is important to forgive oneself and move on. Finally, doctors must always remember to be kind to themselves, something that medical training has not instilled in them.
Things to be Aware of in the Corporate World
A negative of being in the corporate world is possibly the practice of tradition. It’s possible that a doctor might be met with the mentality of “This is how we’ve ALWAYS done things.” within the corporate sector. Tradition has its value particularly when it has proven to work time and again. But if there is something that could be done in a better manner, then that’s an important consideration for the success of a company.
“It’s important to drive things in a different manner on the basis of the needs facing the company. Certainly there’ll be some pushback from those who say, ‘If something ain’t broken, why fix it?’ But bear in mind that talents are hired to bring improvement for the company,” said Dr. Paulose.
“If presented respectfully and on the basis of necessity involving patients/consumers’ wellbeing effecting a positive outcome, chances are, you will be heard”, he added. The key is to speak up while being open to some pushback, not to give up or become disillusioned, or do what’s convenient for fear of rocking the boat. Patience and perseverance in doing what’s best for the company will bear good results with time.
Personality Traits Which Guarantee Success in the Corporate Arena
There’s a need to be agile and flexible in the corporate arena. Therefore being adaptable is key as the corporate environment is different from the clinical environment. Things don’t always go as planned and therefore it is important “to roll with the punches” that life hands us. This is a fact of life. It’s important not to dwell on the things that didn’t work out and to have an overcoming spirit when faced with life’s trials. It will keep doctors from becoming disillusioned and not being able to move on with life.
Leadership qualities are crucial as well particularly if a doctor is managing a team in the corporate world.
It’s vital to get into a company with good corporate culture, one that is able to match your character strengths/ traits with a suitable role. According to Dr Paulose, this is one of the key strengths of Straumann. They are committed to matching an employee’s strengths based on their personality with a suitable role within the company. No one personality type is prized above the other and diversity is celebrated. Dr Paulose notes that, “It takes a good team to win championships. There’s a need to celebrate differences in personality and still work together as a team.”
Concluding Remarks
Having gone through what many young doctors are experiencing today in terms of seeking career advancement, Dr. Paulose is sympathetic to their concerns. He emphasized that to get on the right career trajectory, it is important for doctors to discover their calling – to know the thing that they’re passionate about and to pursue it intentionally.
For Dr. Paulose, pivoting to another field is not just about fulfilling a doctor’s dream but includes adding value to the company, the patients/consumers, the co-workers, and the community one is a part of.
According to Dr. Paulose, when receiving career advice, it’s wise for a doctor to synthesize and apply them to his/her situation bearing in mind that no two persons are the same. Each person is a unique individual.
When considering the corporate arena, doctors must take into account the company culture. Getting into a healthy corporate culture is pivotal. Corporate culture can empower an employee or have the opposite effect.
Dr. Paulose noted that the culture at Straumann is quite extraordinary. Instead of focusing on KPIs driven by how many dollars and cents a person brings into the company, they are focused on people, first and foremost. Their slogan is “Unlocking the Potential in People’s Lives” and this is what drives their corporate culture.
Dr. Paulose is pleased with the work that Disruptive Doctors is doing in helping young doctors find their way and discover their passion for their career. He hopes doctors will talk to Disruptive Doctors and keep close to the organization. He hopes that young doctors will always be curious, not be discouraged, and never give up. Once they’ve made it, he urges young doctors to give back to the community.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in these articles are those of the doctors/individuals DD has interviewed and are based entirely upon the information provided to us by them. DD is not responsible for any inaccuracy of information conveyed to us.
