Even The Simplest Communication Skills Invite Success

Even as our professional expertise grows, it's important not to forget the basics. That’s the bottom line of the podcast episode, “Check Yourself,” part of NPR’s Hidden Brain series. Host Shankar Vendantam explains that after groups of doctors implemented changes to their usual processes—such as procedural checklists, staff introductions pre-surgery, and a reflection on surgery basics—their teams’ success rates improved.

The whole story is worth listening to, but consider this takeaway, which we found particularly interesting: Introductions encourage participation. “When people have the opportunity to introduce themselves,” one surgeon states, “they are much more likely to speak up later, and there’s more equality of talking.”

The full episode is about fifty minutes long, but to listen to the tip, fast forward to 43:37.