» Ultradent.com

« Lesson #3: Learn from your mistakes. | Main | Lesson #5: Give to others who are less fortunate. It is only with an open hand that one has the ability to receive. »

Lesson #4: Listen to those around you, including your patients.

When asked what influenced my career the most, I don’t hesitate in saying it was the importance of the human in the chair. Even in a figurative sense, referring to humans in parts of the world where dentistry isn’t even available, it’s still all about the human. And certainly for the clinician, the ability to change someone’s life for the better is the greatest gift one can receive.

As a dentist with a staff or as a CEO of a large “small business”, I’ve come to learn that it is critical to listen to the inputs of caring colleagues. It is important to listen to managers, especially those who have grown to levels of high competence and experience. It is impossible for one person to know all that is required to run a dental practice or business at peak performance day in and day out.

Additionally, I’ve come to learn that I should pay attention, listen and respect the valued aspects of patients or colleagues lives. What is very important to one person may be of little consequence to another. The more we learn to realize and respect this truth, the more open our minds become and the more people will want to be around us. I’ve also come to learn that it is wrong to jump in with answers prematurely. As I get older, it becomes more satisfiying to hear solutions come from those around me.

Regardless of whether the idea was the same as mine or better than what I would have offered, there is a sense of pride in allowing them to provide the solution. I will confess that I slip from time to time on this very important subject (and others) but I hope I work towards perfecting them before I turn the finale marker of my 60s.

Comments (2)

livia mohorovic:

Dear dr. Fischer ,you don't have to perfect nothing, all what you've said make sense and is so nice,logic and known to me ,but anyway is nice to read it, when so well expressed. Why do you all the time talk about rounding your 60s.? I don't understand that " finale marker" it must be rounding,or what? Are you afraid to be over sixty? When I was approaching that final marker of my 60s,as you say, I treated myself with a trip in the States, it was not on purpose, but the outcome was excellent.Believe me or not the day of my birthday I was at Loma Linda University Dental School, having lunch with prof. Heisler and Mrs. Clement.Indian menu.
When out I saw parking place:
" for endodontic patients only". I immediately called my daughter( it was afternoon in my country) and said to her: " Look ,if you don't provide at least three parking places for your patients in our little town square ,you do not count as a dentist".
Then we rent a car with a guide and had a long drive all along LA .. including Rodeo dr.Kodak Theatre, Beverly Hills ,Malibu etc. ending with a nice dinner.
You see,is not a bad way to become 60s plus some hours,
1 day.
So my "finale marking" as you say and rounding as I say, remains always in my memories as a special day which I never forget.So enter your 60.s you'll be fine and smart as always.
The best to you dr. Fischer.
regards
Livia M

nedim:

dear dr. Fischer thank you for vizit Bosnia
That was a very pleasant presentation
We wish to see you again in our country...
Once again sorry for your lost...
:(
Nedim
Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

About

This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on March 2, 2009 10:24 AM.

The previous post in this blog was Lesson #3: Learn from your mistakes. .

The next post in this blog is Lesson #5: Give to others who are less fortunate. It is only with an open hand that one has the ability to receive..

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

About Us | Blogs | Catalog | Contact Us | Corporate Events | e-Newsletter | International Distributors | Major Accounts
Podcast | Press | Privacy Policy | Product FAQ's | Product Instructions | Product MSDS Sheets | Sitemap
 
©2008 Ultradent Products Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this site please email: webmaster@ultradent.com
call us > 888.230.1420