In our surgical training, we are masters of the clinical and the technical. We know the anatomy, the indications, and the surgical techniques. But there is a missing pillar in our education — one that often accounts for 70% of the problems residency directors and surgical chairs face.

In this episode, Dr. Sharon Stein dives into the "Soft Skills" of surgery: communication, negotiation, emotional intelligence, and team building. Often dismissed or ignored, these skills are actually the bedrock of effective leadership, whether you are leading a committee or simply leading a patient through a life-changing diagnosis in the clinic.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why the term isn't about being "soft" or "weak," but about the non-physical skills that the military has long prioritized as essential for leadership.
• Why professional development is the third, often ignored, leg of the surgical stool.
• Leadership in the "Just a Surgeon" Role: Why every surgeon is a leader — from convincing a patient to accept a necessary stoma to managing a team with mismatched priorities in the OR.
• The "One-and-Done" Course Problem: Why weekend leadership retreats often fail to stick and why we need longitudinal, consistent practice to build these "muscles."
• A Lesson in Communication Styles: Sharon shares a personal story of a "messy" interaction with a colleague and how understanding the difference between "speaking-to-think" and "thinking-to-speak" changed her team’s dynamic.
• How to recognize when a conflict isn't about who is right or wrong, but about whose values are at play, and how to find a solution that honors both.
• Launching the Next Generation: Sharon also discusses her passion for teaching graduating residents and fellows how to negotiate and prioritize early, with the goal of reducing the 50% turnover rate for first surgical jobs.

Key Takeaway for Listeners:

"We are smart enough to learn how to do complex surgery; we are certainly smart enough to learn leadership. But first, we have to prioritize it. Most of the problems we deal with aren't technical — they’re interpersonal." — Dr. Sharon Stein

Connect with Sharon:

• The Surgeons Launchpad: Coaching for Residents & Fellows: Are you graduating soon? Learn the skills to get your first job and retain those skills for life... Learn more on how to launch your career with intention here.
• Institutional Workshops: Does your division have recurring conflict? Sharon works with departments to embed these soft skills into the culture through longitudinal programs.
• Website: www.intentionalsurgeon.com