“ You Don’t Need to Lose Yourself to Lead, Grow, or Succeed”

In the world of medicine, particularly in paediatric surgery and urology, the demands are relentless. Surgeries run late, emergencies blur the line between day and night, and every decision carries weight. In this pursuit of excellence, many of us unknowingly trade pieces of ourselves — family time, hobbies, even health — thinking it’s the price of leadership and success.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to lose yourself to lead, grow, or succeed.

Being a surgeon doesn’t mean being only a surgeon. You’re allowed to be human — to laugh at silly jokes, to take a day off, to cherish your child’s smile, or to find joy in something outside the OR. Leadership in healthcare isn’t about being superhuman; it’s about being deeply human while still striving for the highest standards.

When we embrace our humanness, we do more than just survive the grind — we set a healthier example for the next generation of surgeons. Our juniors learn that success doesn’t come at the expense of identity. Our patients’ families see that care comes from not just skilled hands but also from empathetic hearts.

Medicine can demand much from us, but it should never demand our entire selves.

Because at the end of the day, the best surgeons are not the ones who burned out in pursuit of perfection — they’re the ones who learned to balance their titles with their humanity.

#DrVivekViswanathan #SurgicalLeadership #HumanInMedicine #PaediatricSurgery #PaediatricUrology #DoctorLife #LeadershipInHealthcare #SurgeonMindset