Comments on: In The Business of “The Soft Stuff” http://www.davidpdiana.com/2009/08/24/in-the-business-of-the-soft-stuff/ Unique Perspectives in Mental Health Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:10:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Barbara Radin Fox http://www.davidpdiana.com/2009/08/24/in-the-business-of-the-soft-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-334 Barbara Radin Fox Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:23:30 +0000 http://www.davidpdiana.com/?p=1301#comment-334 Definitely ditto! Your article seems to me to ask us to do what we do well and don't think for a minute that we can do everything well! We need to market our differences, which includes our areas of specialization, in addition to any "quirks" that set us apart! Definitely ditto! Your article seems to me to ask us to do what we do well and don’t think for a minute that we can do everything well! We need to market our differences, which includes our areas of specialization, in addition to any “quirks” that set us apart!

]]> By: Brian Sullivan, PsyD http://www.davidpdiana.com/2009/08/24/in-the-business-of-the-soft-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-333 Brian Sullivan, PsyD Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:56:58 +0000 http://www.davidpdiana.com/?p=1301#comment-333 David, I'm glad you've written this. The soft stuff counts, truly. Like your description of Palmetto, I learned years ago to be that provider who tells referral sources, "If I can't help, I'll help find someone better who can." And, I'm that provider who tells each and every client that my job is to work myself out of a job. That combination works well, but only if I'm sincere in each (which I am). I share this with trainees and interns regularly. I'd like to expand on your thoughts: You're right - there's a range of quality in our professions, but fortunately in my experience the quality is generally quite high. That's a blessing for the public and those hiring us, but a curse for those who are seeking to grow a practice or get that first/next job. Therefore, I believe we should all do a better job of emphasizing for trainees and early-career folks the importance of distinguishing oneself, and becoming distinctive. Those concepts overlap, but they're meaningfully different ideas also. We should tell them, "Differentiate yourself - focus on what makes you distinctive and distinguished. If you're not already distinguished, then get busy - good work will distinguish you. But it won't necessarily make you distinctive, and that's the other part of the equation. Be a distinguished professional first and foremost - be active in your state or national professional associations, volunteer your time, and above all, provide good work. But also, don't be afraid to be distinctive, because lots of people are going to make themselves distinguished the same ways you will." Being distinctive (along with being distinguished) can make the difference in success. And, it can be done with good taste and restraint. As a bonus, it's generally fun. Just as an example: I placed a Mr. Potato Head on my bookshelf to add a bit of whimsey to the office. Did I learn that in graduate school? No. I'm just being myself - my office isn't full of toys - that's not me. But the Potato Head and a few scattered Hotwheel cars are. Does it matter? Well, one word-of-mouth referral said, "My friend told me you were really helpful, and that you try to work yourself out of a job. I can respect that. She's doing so much better now. She also said that even when you're not all that helpful, the Potato Head pitches in." Keep up the good work, David. David, I’m glad you’ve written this. The soft stuff counts, truly. Like your description of Palmetto, I learned years ago to be that provider who tells referral sources, “If I can’t help, I’ll help find someone better who can.” And, I’m that provider who tells each and every client that my job is to work myself out of a job.

That combination works well, but only if I’m sincere in each (which I am). I share this with trainees and interns regularly.

I’d like to expand on your thoughts: You’re right – there’s a range of quality in our professions, but fortunately in my experience the quality is generally quite high. That’s a blessing for the public and those hiring us, but a curse for those who are seeking to grow a practice or get that first/next job.

Therefore, I believe we should all do a better job of emphasizing for trainees and early-career folks the importance of distinguishing oneself, and becoming distinctive. Those concepts overlap, but they’re meaningfully different ideas also.

We should tell them, “Differentiate yourself – focus on what makes you distinctive and distinguished. If you’re not already distinguished, then get busy – good work will distinguish you. But it won’t necessarily make you distinctive, and that’s the other part of the equation. Be a distinguished professional first and foremost – be active in your state or national professional associations, volunteer your time, and above all, provide good work. But also, don’t be afraid to be distinctive, because lots of people are going to make themselves distinguished the same ways you will.”

Being distinctive (along with being distinguished) can make the difference in success. And, it can be done with good taste and restraint. As a bonus, it’s generally fun.

Just as an example: I placed a Mr. Potato Head on my bookshelf to add a bit of whimsey to the office. Did I learn that in graduate school? No. I’m just being myself – my office isn’t full of toys – that’s not me. But the Potato Head and a few scattered Hotwheel cars are.

Does it matter? Well, one word-of-mouth referral said, “My friend told me you were really helpful, and that you try to work yourself out of a job. I can respect that. She’s doing so much better now. She also said that even when you’re not all that helpful, the Potato Head pitches in.”

Keep up the good work, David.

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