Director's Message: Do you have a crab-in-the-pot mentality?
I just returned from a three-day women’s leadership summit where we celebrated immense successes and supported each other. There have been times in my past, terribly recent past, when I would break out in a cold sweat thinking about attending a “women’s” conference. Why? Because of the “crab in the pot syndrome.”
Have you heard about the crab in a pot syndrome? Simply, the metaphor refers to when you place a bunch of crabs in a pot to boil that you don't even need to provide a lid on that pot. Because if one of the crabs makes it to the top and it’s about to flee to freedom, another crab will reach up and pull her back down to them to their collective demise.
I see this happening with groups who get catty and competitive, and they don't like others in their life to shine, be bright, and successful. I’ve been a crab in the pot — in many pots, reacting out of fear or self-doubt, and more times than I’m proud of. It’s not a place I want to return to. What I want to do is hold the intention that, when we hear one of our friends and colleagues talking about her/his dream about what they want to do, we celebrate that ambition.
And that’s why I invite you to “save the date.” The time is April 29 at 7 p.m. CDT when PennWell will host a Google Hangout titled, “Shaking the Salary Tree: 5 Simple Steps to Career Health.”
Title: Live with RDH magazine: Shaking the Salary Tree — 5 Simple Steps to Career Health! (Part 1) #RDHchat (Twitter hashtag for asking questions)
Chat Description: This #RDHchat hashtag is for dental hygienists, dental assistants, office managers, and every oral health professional who wants to “shake the salary tree!” Join us for an educational chat with three experts as we take on one of the big topics in dental hygiene — career and salary.
The panelists are:
- Kristine Hodsdon, RDH, MSEC, (also the moderator). Her topic is “Leverage with your career goals” and “The BIG Lie.”
- Beth Thompson, RDH, BS, FACE. Her topic is ”How to Promote Yourself.”
- Dianne Glasscoe Watterson, RDH, BS, MBA. Her topic is ”Understanding Salary Formulas/”
This is a kind of connection that is vital to your career, because you want to make sure you are taking the right actions. Attending on April 29 is the right action. Details of the topics and guest presenters will be announced over the next few weeks, and this event will bring you specific tools to enhance your career and the money you make.
Dental Urban Legend?
I’m reminded of the “study” (and I’m not even sure if the story is a dental urban legend or not, yet some of you might remember). About eight to 10 years ago, there was a concept that team members are highly resistant to discussing treatment options and financial arrangements with patients if the amount is more than what they have in their own checking accounts. Again, I’m not sure if it was a true “survey or study,” or if it was a legend of sorts. Through my work with doctors and dental teams, I am aware of its inherent accuracy. We often turn to “tactics” without talking about our relationship with money.
I’ve mentioned in previous articles that sometimes our “caring” for our patients make the business side of dentistry and dental hygiene taboo. Clarity, caring, and our separation from our own emotional money challenges can become keys to our successful financial dealings (professional and personally).
So an initiation to a free training call to further move into your awareness around money and how it might be effecting your income and or your business profitability is “8 Paths to Flourishing Financially.”
My business coach says, “Stop asking for it to be easier. Instead, ask to be stronger … and ask for the right support to get you there.”
Let’s change the “crab (hygienist) in the pot syndrome” together.
Regards,
Kristine A. Hodsdon RDH, MSEC
Director, RDH eVillage
Kristine’s Disclosures: Kristine’s website is http://www.kristineahodsdon.com and she is a consultant and trainer with Pride Institute.
