Wear the White Coat

Is confidence a learned or inherited trait? Are some people born with it? If you aren't born with it, how can you learn it? How can you build it? How can others help instill it?

These questions have been with me for years. In my previous life at the university, I had plenty of opportunities to both explore my own confidence (and sometimes the lack there of) as well as discuss with students and co-workers the importance confidence plays in every day life decisions. I have always reflected on a story I was told about medical students.

Often times, when medical students begin rounds they are seen as young and inexperienced because they do not carry the confidence of a seasoned doctor.  Perhaps you have had a medical student manage your appointment. Maybe you have thought "now where is the REAL doctor? " Many times, patients sense the lack of confidence the student has and determines that its time to speak with an actual doctor. If you do not feel the medical student conveys the confidence then you may not feel secure in their care.

And this is where my mantra comes from: "Wear the white coat." Simply stated, medical students must wear the white coat and carry the confidence that the white coat portrays even if it means faking it. The old cliche statement of "fake it until you make it" is certainly true for these students.

When you lack confidence in yourself, you must put the white coat on and act the part.

I have often times done this and have also advised my students to do it. Perhaps you are leading a group or guiding a project and are not fully confident in your ability to accomplish the task at hand. The key however is to put your white coat on and accept the responsibility which has been provided to you. Furthermore, you should carry the confidence that you have been trusted with from others. If placed into a position by others, they must believe you are able to accomplish the task. For medical students, this can be grounded in the fact that they have been admitted into medical school and have completed coursework, exams, etc. When my students were struggling with their studies and questioning whether they would be successful, I had them reflect on the day they received their admissions letter from the university. The letter was a vote of confidence that the admissions committee had in the student to succeed. The memory could be their white coat.

I recently came across an exempt in a book I am reading (1776). Specifically, the passage was spoken by George Washington. The first President of the USA. Certainly a man who was the "first" leader of the new states must have been confidence in his ability to lead. At least, in my mind it would seem that an individual who had been so successful in life must have been born with confidence. Perhaps he never doubted his decisions or questioned whether the struggles of leading were worth the stress. However, it is interesting to find out that he questioned himself and clearly stated before Congress that he did not believe himself a worthy leader for the task at hand. He stated:

I am truly sensible of the honor done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service and for the support of the glorious Cause. But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. (pg 49). 

Washington put his "white coat" on. He took his confidence from the fact that Congress had faith in him to lead. This helped him fake it and then he made it. I think it is fascinating that even the best leaders have questioned themselves and their decisions.

In thinking about outstanding leaders and their own struggles, it gives me faith to know that they themselves were not always confidence in their own abilities. It seems to give me permission to also struggle with confidence. It also gives me hope that I can overcome my obstacles by wearing the white coat.

Excerpt from: McCullough, D. (2005). 1776. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.