When I go on the speaker trail, I never know who I will run into. I get excited when I run into old classmates, colleagues, or meet new people. This conference was a wild card. I was invited to speak on the main stage live in Atlanta’s CNN Center in the middle of the pandemic. Initially, I was not keen on going to one of the nation’s COVID hotspots at the time and did not know many of the other speakers. However, when opportunity knocks, I often answer the call. This is how I met Dr. Oz.
Much has been said about Dr. Oz in the recent weeks mostly for his bid in my home state of Pennsylvania. I can’t say it enough in this essay, but I will only say this once: THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT OF ANY KIND.
Regardless of your personal viewpoints Dr. Oz’s career has been remarkable. From being discovered by Oprah, authoring multiple books, and producing a show while becoming a household name; all while being a physician. He remained on staff at NYC hospitals to keep his credibility as a physician for many years.
There are three things that I learned from him that could help your career.
- Career opportunities never cease when you have a strong personal brand. People may say that everything that Oprah touches turns to gold. This is certainly the case for Dr. Oz. After his start from Oprah, he decided to continue to write books, create content, and used other strategies to build his credibility. He used the added fame to spread his messages (whether you agree or disagree with them.) You should build your own personal brand so that you are irresistible to any of your future job prospects, customers, or patients.
- Understand the role fear has in your change. Change often holds people back from becoming their best. Understanding the psychology of change is essential so that you do not fear change. Confront your fears straight on; raise your awareness and act. Being able to decide while scared will help propel you to a new height. (You leave your comfort zone…)
- “When you mix medicine and politics, you get politics. The medicine doesn’t survive the blending.” Dr. Oz There are many ways in which you can transition into a new sector or a new line of work even as a physician. Our desire to help people often drives us to other places. There are many ways in which you can help people with or without a white coat. For instance, Dr. Oz wants to help people and has always done so through advocacy in the past. Changing policy through politics looks to be his next endeavor. Let’s hope that he can buck the trend.
This political venture is an interesting one that is not taken by many physicians. However, just because your entire educational life has taught you how to work in hospitals, it does not have to stay that way; your pathway is enhanced by opportunity. As for Dr. Oz’s political career, we will see what happens…
