Interlude: Learning by Listening, Errors as Information, and Speaking with Confidence
Earlier this week, I posted something on LinkedIn that was on my mind: the use of “denies” in my medical chart. (I won’t go into details about the post, but you can find it through this link if you’re interested.)
After a few hours, I only had a handful of impressions and thought that the post was not of interest to anyone. That’s okay. I know that not every post will be helpful or spark a conversation. But over the following couple of days, I got a response I did not expect.
I was blown away by the number of comments that people posted. They shared their experiences and perspectives from clinical, patient, and legal standpoints. In some cases, they shared very strong opinions, some of which differed from mine and challenged my thinking.
I loved seeing the comments, not because I want engagement points on social media, but because I wanted to have a conversation and listen to what others had to say.
And I’ve so appreciated the conversation. I’ve learned perspectives I hadn’t considered (such as legal considerations). I’ve heard personal stories about how patients (and simulated patients) have felt when reading certain language in medical charts. And I’ve loved digging into the meaning and history of language to understand how one word can affect so many different aspects of the medical field.
Although my stance on “denies” is the same, I now understand more of the layers that this word influences in the broader medical field. And I can think more strategically about solutions that would serve each of these layers.
I’m so grateful for these deep conversations that not only connect us, but challenge us to think differently and even collaborate to influence change.
So here’s my question for you: what’s something you’ve learned recently just by listening to someone who saw things differently than you?
Now onto this week's round-up...
Round-up
Reading
Making Friends with Error
”Today, we use error as a synonym for mistake: something to be ashamed of, something to fix and forget. But for scientists, an error is simply the gap between prediction and outcome. It carries no moral weight. It’s just information. . . So an error really is just a detour. And every detour is an opportunity to explore new territory.”
Whoops! Most arXiv papers contain information never meant to be shared
”Nearly all of the nearly three million papers available on the arXiv preprint server contain details the authors never meant to share, a new study finds.”
Listening
Quick Thinks: Speak with Confidence, Clarity, and Power
”In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical techniques for projecting your voice with confidence, building vocal stamina, and using microphones effectively. From breathing with more control to making the most of your physical presence, you'll learn simple strategies to ensure your message is heard when it matters most.”
Tools
Chrome Vertical Tabs
I just started using the new “vertical tabs” feature in Chrome and am already a fan. This layout lets you easily read full page titles and manage tab groups, even when you have a dozen tabs open. And if you try it and don’t like it, you can just revert back to “horizontal tabs.”
Quote
“Mistakes are the portals of discovery." Ulysses
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
