The same dudes that you misuse on your way up...

Most people would claim to adhere to this, but do you really? I'm not referring to life in general, but in your ward/office/theatre/teaching session.

Apply it to your workplace!

Do you speak to the cleaners? Do you know their names? How about all the nurses, including the students?

Do you ever have a go at the theatre staff? Did it go beyond the necessary correction?

I try to avoid it, but I have done it. Such is the hierarchy of hospitals, and the status and (residual) power of surgical consultants, we should all be aware that a kind word, a personally addressed comment, involving a student nurse in clinical care - there are hundreds of possible examples - may make their day, make them think well of you and might in some way benefit you too.

I know a consultant who asked of an earnest and trembling junior who had approached him, "what grade are you"? The quiverer answered "senior house officer".

"Go away, I don't speak to anyone less than a registrar".

Hmm. Funny in a way, but not good. If you're not nice to patients and their relatives you might end up in trouble. In part it's self-preservation.. It's how you behave with these other people, who can't hurt you, that is the best judgement.

The old claim that "he may be a bastard, but it's worth it because he's a great surgeon" was always rubbish. Great surgeons show greatness of spirit.