Check Your Ego At The Door

Christopher Herrington DC
FTCA Tech Committee Chair

Forward Thinking Chiropractic Alliance members,

Please check your ego at the door.

We have members who have been “in the field” for decades. We have researchers who have worked on the newest and best methods known to chiropractic practice. We have business owners who operate million dollar clinics. We have students who have learned the best methods, as refined over years of practice. We have new doctors who are learning new methods as you read this. This group is not for bringing the other members down. This group is for rallying together to bring all of us upward.

Forward thinking means looking ahead to the future. It means pushing the boundaries on what is known, what is accepted and what is expected; striving to be better than we are now and always looking toward the future. No-one is better alone than we all are together. We cannot help each other, if we’re constantly commenting, criticizing and degrading each other for what the other does, simply because it goes against something you have a personal opinion on. Our place here is to build and expand.

Sometimes that means to question what we do, how it has always been done, and why has it always been done that way. Sometimes that old structure holds up, sometimes it doesn’t. Personal attacks are any part of constructive criticism or thoughtful debate. Even enemies can learn from each other. Blind faith in what one does, is based on the ego unable to reflect and expand.

These are some points I think we should all be able to rally behind:

• Professionals of all walks of life uphold a standard, and that standard can be changed over time. That standard should always be raised, never lowered.
• Doctors are educators. Intelligent, intellectual, well minded people who strive to better themselves and better the world around them, to advance humanity toward a happier, healthier goal.
• None of these criteria have room for an ego. We're all human, we all have wants, needs and desires. However, we should not want, need, desire an echo chamber. Yes men need not apply.

Together, we strive. Without debate, without counterpoints, we have blind faith. We have zealots. Even if a point is made that is contested and can be argued against, the point needs to be made so that thought process can be vetted. That point and the subsequent vetting should be in a friendly, amicable manner in which all parties can learn from. From understanding comes unity. Not everyone thinks similarly and not one brain can completely encompass the entirety of what we do. We need a community to get the full image, to complete the picture. Only together do we succeed.

Everyone stands to learn from the most infinitesimal places; the young from the old, the experienced from the inexperienced, the happy from the downtrodden. You stop learning when you’re dead. To point at someone and say “I’m better than you” is to close a door for both people. The pointer loses the ability to observe and reflect on the abilities of the point-ee. The point-ee is shut down and loses the ability to learn from the one who had experience. Everyone does something better than someone else. None of us are deities, none of us are infallible. Even the “greats” had to start somewhere, and their mentors gave them a shot. Every conversation has 2 paths, be sure both are well received.

We all have bad days, we all have good days. If you see someone having a bad day, don’t kick them down further. If you’re having a good day, spread the cheer to those who may not be. Love what you do, love who you are, love what you can do for others and make life generally better for everyone. Simply because you won’t ever meet someone isn’t a reason to kick them, simply because you perceive them as being weaker, slower, and dumber than yourself. Make the world a better place. That place, needs to start within you.

Lastly…Arrogance. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE, needs an ego check. A friend, colleague, mentor and/or spouse to remind them that they are not the end-all-be-all of healthcare, chiropractic, rehab, medicine, diagnosis, examination, interviews, networking, etc. We all have strengths, we all have weaknesses. We all must strive to identify our own weaknesses and build upon them. We must also learn our strengths and share them. Flaunting your strength is arrogant. Pointing out someone else’s weakness is just as arrogant. Approach the conversation with some tact, and leave the ability for all parties to come to an understanding. This is not a place for militant attacks, for childish bullying, or for territorial chest pounding.

This is a place for learning, understanding, and growth.