Silencing Your Inner Critic - Part 2

Overview
Imposter syndrome robs you of confidence - and it can imperil your team, especially in a moment of crisis. Learn how to down-regulate yourself and the whole room with host Will Smith, MD, and physician/coach Rob Orman, MD. (Pro tip: Tune in to Part 1 first to learn how to recognize that inner critic.) 

TAKE-HOME POINTS

• Having an inner critic is perfectly normal. Although we cannot control those thoughts, we can control how we respond to them.
• As emergency physicians in high-pressure situations, it is important to learn how to not let your inner critic/negative thoughts take over.
• Learning how to ground yourself and come back to your cognitive center will allow you to better tap into your training and experience and make the most logical and appropriate decision.
• “Returning-to-Center” can be done in a number of ways:
  • Physically taking a step back and thinking about the entire scenario in front of you and coming up with a plan of attack 
  • Running through a checklist of your next objective to ensure you have all the pieces that will allow you to be successful
• Verbally running through a checklist will help lay out your thought process to yourself as well as those working around you so everyone is on the same page. Additionally, if people can't hear you, then it's a good indication that the chaos around you may need to be addressed.
• We are the team leader that everyone looks up to when patients aren't doing well. When you are calm, your team will be calm. When you are starting to spin out of control, your team will sense it.

RESOURCES

• Bambach K, Hope J. Imposter Syndrome. EMRA*Cast. Published 11/1/20.