There is an old saying in business: A fish stinks from the head down This implies that when there is a bad attitude within an organization, that generally comes from senior management. By contrast, there is also an old saying (are you getting the impression that I like old sayings?) A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them
On a recent visit to the "clinic" (for: regular 6-week blood work, another round of vaccinations, and a visit with Dr. S), I was struck by how compassionate everyone was that I encountered throughout the 90-minute visit. Theirs weren't maudlin, mawkish or mushy gestures, but rather small, simple and sincere actions which demonstrated that the initiator really cared. The receptionist seemed genuinely glad to see me when she greeted me at 7:00am and validated my parking pass. The intake nurse who drew my labs was quick and efficient, seeking to make sure I didn't even "feel a little pinch" - which I didn’t. And the "vaccines" nurse (not her title, just her identifier) took great care to carefully and thoroughly prep my upper arm before administering the two inoculations.
And then when it came to Dr S - I could clearly see where it all stems from. The example they all see every day comes from this demonstrative leader who patterns this behavior over and over again - with every patient, family member or caregiver. I experience it in my own encounters with Dr S, I hear it when he interacts with other patients, and I observe it as he relates to all of the members of the staff - no matter their role, status or seniority. He and the team know the fear in their eyes, the pain in their hearts, and the sickness in their bodies - and everyone who walks in that door gets to enter an oasis of hope, civility and calm.
Wouldn't life be a little bit better if everyone just gave out a little bit more compassion. It's effective and infectious (medical pun reference intended). As the old saying goes Try it, you'll like it! (Alka-Seltzer 1971)
