People Skills
I work in an orthopedic clinic and the other day something occurred that I just can't get off my mind.
We saw a patient that has been coming to us for several months. This particular patient is known to be very demanding and in need of extra reassurance at every visit. After the patient left a coworker that was not familiar with this patient carried on and on about what a nasty person that patient was and where does he get off acting like such a #!*%?"^!
I asked my coworker "would you like to trade places with this patient?"...silence
At that point my coworker realized that she didn't know anything about that patient, only that he was here for an office visit for joint pain. What she didn't know was that this patient has personality disorder from a severe head injury when he was younger.
The truth is that unless we have a very close personal relationship with someone we don't fully understand what is going on with the rest of their life. The crabby person you encounter may have any number of situations affecting their mood. Maybe illness involving them or someone they care for. Maybe a loss or a drastic lifestyle change, possibly an unpleasant one.
I hope the people skills I have learned from many years in the healthcare field will help me communicate better in my website and interact with the incredibly diverse population that can be reached through the internet.
Recent Comments
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Thank You KariLee for your awesome post. I'm hoping that anyone dealing with the public these days would adhere to your post and follow it closely! Great post, I really enjoyed it.
You are so right. A little kindness and compassion goes a long way. You helped your co-worker understand how it is to be the patient and have to try and communicate. You did a good deed for the patient and co-worker. If we each reach out and help one person, we will all be happier and better off.
hi KariLee
I could not agree more! I work with individuals in all kinds of pain, physical, emotional, spiritual. Mental health issues, addictions, illnesses. You name it. And there cannot be any judgment on my part or my staff's part. Huge histories of trauma are present that still affect their life today. And I find it is always important to understand what is underneath the behavior.
Emily
Judgement is not ours. But it is difficult to not be human. Non of us are perfect.
I thank you for your comment and your insight into human nature.
Kari
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Oh wow Kari, I am sure your people skills shine through in all you do, and your website will be no exception.