S03E06: Lessons in Leadership with Dr. Daniel Eiferman

In surgery, we are taught the mechanics of saving a life, but rarely the mechanics of managing ourselves. In this episode, Dr. Sharon Stein sits with Dr. Daniel Eiferman, a trauma and critical care surgeon at The Ohio State University and author of the new book, Cut Open: A Surgeon's Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth. They dive into the "black book" of stories Danny kept for a decade, the lessons he has learned as a surgeon and a leader.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Resulting: How deciding to change a process (such as a surgical technique) because of results can end up with worse outcomes.

Time as the Ultimate Currency: Time —not money or status—is our most precious resource as a surgeon, and how we choose to spend it defines us.

The Power of Curiosity: Why asking "Tell me more about that" is the No 1 trait of a high-performing healthcare provider.

Building the "Perfect" Team: Lessons on how to create psychological safety in the OR through two specific behaviors:

Ostentatious Listening: Showing the team that their voice is worth your time.

Conversational Turn-Taking: Ensuring the scrub tech and the medical student feel safe enough to speak up

Featured Guest:

Daniel S. Eiferman, MD, MBA is a Professor of Surgery at The Ohio State University, specializing in Trauma and Critical Care. He is a sought-after speaker on surgical leadership and the author of Cut Open.

Key Takeaway for Listeners:

"Culture is the least acceptable activity that we are willing to accept. When we allow beratement in the OR, that becomes our culture. When we show vulnerability first, we build trust instead." — Dr. Daniel Eiferman

Order the Book: Find Cut Open: A Surgeon's Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Growth on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at integritysurgery.org.

Connect with Dr. Sharon Stein:

Website: www.intentionalsurgeon.com