S03EP01: How Ego Hurts & Helps Us As Surgeons with Dr. Sharon L. Stein
The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD · Sharon L. Stein, MD
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Show Notes
Welcome to 2026! In this solo episode, Dr. Sharon Stein kicks off the year by exploring a topic that defines—and often derails—surgical careers: The Surgical Ego.
We all know the TV stereotype of the arrogant surgeon. But Sharon dives into a more subtle version: the ego that hides behind the mask of the "humble, meticulous surgeon." Whether you walk into a room saying "I’ve got this" or rack yourself over the coals after a complication, both extremes stem from the same risky belief: that we have total control over every outcome.
What You'll Learn
- The Summit of Ego: A residency story about a surgeon who believed the worst thing that could happen to a patient was something happening to him.
- The "Humble" Trap: Sharon shares how her own guilt over an anastomotic leak revealed a hidden ego—the belief that being "careful enough" could prevent all complications.
- Ego as a Distraction: Why questioning your skill mid-case directs focus away from the patient and toward your own self-doubt.
- Suffering as "Payment": The common but illogical feeling that if we suffer enough along with the patient, we can "pay" for a bad outcome.
- The Learning Cycle: Why our "precious surgical ego" makes us want to hide mistakes rather than being curious about how to improve.
- Finding Balance: How to maintain the confidence required to operate while accepting that some factors remain beyond our control.
Key Takeaways for 2026
- Notice the Shift: Watch for when your ego—through overconfidence or shame—takes the driver's seat.
- Focus on the Patient: In difficult moments, move from "Am I good enough?" to "What does this patient need right now?"
- Ditch Perfection: Meticulousness is a goal, not a guarantee. Even the best surgeons have complications.
Join the Conversation: How has ego helped or hurt your practice? Sharon wants to hear your stories at www.intentionalsurgeon.com.
Ready to be intentional about your surgical career? Visit intentionalsurgeon.com/launchpad to learn about securing the right surgical position for you.