Find the full transcript for this episode and more resources for Women Physician Leaders here.

Have you ever caught yourself tolerating something — or someone — that didn’t sit right… just to keep the peace? To seem nice? To avoid the awkwardness?

That was me — recently — after hosting what should’ve been a lovely dinner with new friends.

It’s funny how often women, especially in medicine, find ourselves in this dance — smoothing over moments, filling the silence, pretending we’re fine when someone crosses a line.

We call it being polite, but really, it’s people-pleasing dressed up as professionalism.

We’re taught:

·       To keep the peace.

·       To stay composed.

·       To smile through the discomfort.

And it happens everywhere — in medicine, in motherhood, in friendships.

That moment we swallow our discomfort for the sake of being “nice.”

We tell ourselves we’re keeping the peace… but really, we’re losing a piece of ourselves.

Because somewhere along the way, we started mistaking approval for connection.

Dr. Stephanie Yamout helps women physician leaders get their time back, own their value, and command the room as they were born to do. For coaching support, apply for Stephanie's Signature Program here and she'll be in touch to invite you to a call.