A response to Manu Goswami’s #LetsGetHonest Challenge. I also posted a video that you can access by clicking on the link below the image :

Being young in an industry has its own set of challenges. In my case, the medical device industry is primarily employed by tenured individuals, and for good reason. The position entails an in-depth understanding of how to operate and explain sophisticated instrumentation when human lives are at stake.

Many individuals spend much of their career earning the required experience to be trusted in that environment. It’s therefore of no surprise that someone like myself, who is in at a young age, faces skepticism when working to earn that trust. But I proactively engage in certain behaviors to ensure that I exceed expectations for my role, regardless of age.

Confidence is Key

First and foremost, I believe in the power of positive body language. As James Borg explains in his elucidating book, your posture has large subconscious effects. Positive body language can actually change hormone levels in the body, inducing a perceived feeling of power. This new state improves your ability to respond to difficult or challenging situations with more energy and conviction. In turn, your heightened internal state is externally expressed through your tone of voice, sending an unequivocal message of confidence. This expression is then attributed as preparedness and competency by the receiver.

In the operating room, I typically try to stand with my chest tall and my hands behind my back. This posture not only appears confident (by not guarding your body with your arms or hands), but it inspires confidence within the actor.

Emotion always has its roots in the unconscious and manifests itself in the body. – Irene Claremont de Castillejo

Another important component is having trust in my training. At first I was hesitant to interject. I figured if I had noticed something, then someone else most definitely had noticed also. I quickly realized that I have a unique skill-set that is required in a successful operation, and the surgical team is relying on me to do my part.

Once I embraced this, I became much more diligent in ensuring that everything was carefully considered, and I proactively started adding value to the procedure. Trusting my training should have come more naturally, but as a young professional in an environment like the Operating Room, it was something I had to come to terms with.

Practice Humility

I interact with individuals older than myself all day. This places me in casual social interactions that are not casual at all, leading to constant judgment of my behavior. I have found that the most important characteristic in these situations is practicing emotional intelligence. This means knowing when it is appropriate to insist on a point, when to concede to someone else’s idea, and to keep the topic as professional as possible. I admit, it is very tiring and unnatural, but if you want to be taken seriously as a young professional, you must always be in a work mindset.

Emotional intelligence in the context of being a young professional usually means to practice humility. Humility is a disarming quality that reduces confrontation, resulting in a coworker not feeling as threatened by your presence, and more willing to collaborate with you. Behaving in an appropriate manner at the appropriate time is an important way to build rapport with superiors at work.

This is no different when it comes to selling. I have the wonderful opportunity to introduce new concepts and treatments to surgeons who have been in their practice for longer than I have been alive. This means that they have been treating their patients a certain way since before I was born. How long is a surgeon going to listen to my pitch after they figure that out? They won’t. This is when humility has been essential in my efforts.

First, I disarm them by using that very example, surprising them with the transparency of my introduction. Then, I ask good questions that inspire original thoughts and insights, allowing the possibility for improvement to be authentically realized. Finally, I distinguish myself as a real resource to them, taking pride in my preparation of supplemental materials, and providing knowledge of the concepts far beyond their expectations. I figure at this point, at least I have their attention.

Being a young professional is a blessing in disguise. It allows me to practice new skills that I will utilize throughout my career, and motivates me to always seek improvement. In this disposition, I am constantly being held to a higher standard and meant to prove myself. I see value in that challenge, and will continue to combat it using confidence and humility as my weapons of choice!