We have an outbreak of bullying and intimidation.

It’s rampant.  At least that’s how it looks on social media.

Business grinds to a halt over one accusation.

Alleged oppressors are guilty until proven innocent. Due process means nothing.

We see it everywhere. Everyone feels intimidated about something. Once it takes hold, false claims of intimidation create a toxic culture of victimhood that becomes a bigger problem than the claims themselves.

It has  seeped into medicine and is causing a mess.

True intimidation is serious business. It implies concern for one’s safety or wellbeing. Leaders must take immediate action to investigate and resolve any claim of intimidation.

Lectures and papers on bullying and intimidation fill conferences in every industry. But amid all that’s written and discussed, few people ask, Can we go too far? Continue reading “Intimidation vs Straight Talk”

Like all the best things in life, being President comes with maximal effort, pleasure and sacrifice.

You work more than expected, have more fun than should be allowed, and give up what no sane person would ever choose to give.

Many of you have asked what life is like as President; what skills and experience you might need.

I share the following with sheepish vulnerability. I see best what’s needed most by what I have the least. I offer what I think you need, what I found useful, and what I wish I had a little more. Continue reading “What’s It Like to be OMA President?”

Absurd change is a high-risk procedure: A doctor gets frustrated with her clinic, hospital or LHIN.

She decides to fix it. She attends all the right meetings. She writes letters and calls important people.

After 6 months, she quits in frustration.

She then shares her experience at medical staff meetings: The system was too corrupt. No one wanted to change. No one would listen.

Farson and Crichton wrote a great little book called, Management of the Absurd. Chapters include: “Big changes are easier to make than small ones”, and “Planning is an ineffective way to bring about change”.

After many attempts, false starts and unexpected successes, I offer the following absurd advice to fight for change.

Absurd Change

Experts say, “Start with a vision”. They are right, but we misinterpret what they mean in two ways. Continue reading “Absurd Change”