Ravi Ramakantan, Department of Radiology
About
10 years ago, when I was standing in a queue to pay fees at my son's
school, some one came up from behind and in a rather stern voice said
"Excuse me; will you fall in line please"? Startled, I looked around,
mumbled an apology and said to myself "She must be one of those strict
school teachers. Whoever, she was, a strange "how can anyone order me
around?" thought came over me. You see, when you have been an HOD for
some time, you are not used to people finding faults with what you do
and correcting it - at least not to your face - irrespective of how
wrong you may have been!
With time, one gets used to this idea
and if you are not watchful, complacency creeps in - "I can do nothing
wrong". People are scared to tell you your faults, your department's
faults - though a lot of back-row chatter may be going on behind you.
With no feedback about your minuses, the rot sets in.
On their
very first day in the department, I make it a point to tell all new
residents that they are free to point out my mistakes and should not
think twice about it. The unfortunate end to this little advice is that seldom does any resident actually point out a mistake or error in
judgment. Occasionally, when one of the bolder residents does point out
something, I relaise how wrong I had been all along.
Colleagues
in the department are no better; most are still scared about the HOD or
perhaps couldn't care less about that old blighter! Friends from other
departments generally say the good things; hesitate a lot before
pointing out bloomers and generally keep a "cool" relationship.
Occasionally, we have a Dilip Karnad, with whom I have endless
conversations, who to this day, has almost never had anything good to
say about our department and has been my unending source for the masala
of criticisms and I treasure and respect him for that. For, had it not
been for his voluminous criticisms, we would have been much worse off
in so many activities of the department. Unfortunately, his is not a common species.
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So,
the other day, in one of the HOD meetings, provoked on some subject,
VJL, as is his won't had choice criticisms in full public view about
our CT and perhaps the MRI sections. Though some others, immediately
voiced their disagreement with VJL's opinion, I was indeed momentarily
shocked - for thus far, he had never mentioned any of this to me and I
had counted him as one of my close friends in the campus! After the
initial startled response, my defenses were back in place and I said to
myself "I should look him up tomorrow and ask what the problem is.
Tomorrow
came and we bumped into each other - where else - but outside the
canteen! Before I could say anything, he apologized profusely for
"yesterday's outburst"; "it was not warranted" he continued. As others
were present; I just let it go off without any further exchange. But, I
know, there must be a problem and I will get it out of him.
Listening
to criticism - in fact seeking it, is an absolute necessity especially
for those who make decisions and are in power. It does not matter where
it come from; it does matter if much of it is garbage; it does not
matter it is from the junior most resident. That is why GSMC Sounding
Board; that is why - the Radiology Sounding Board where anonymous
postings are allowed - a place where from we get important feedback.
I
wonder how the Deans feel; sitting alone; rarely hearing in-house
criticism - though a lot it goes on beyond earshot. I for one, have had
interesting responses to my unpleasant feedback to the Deans - but
these anecdotes will have to wait for another "Chairman's Corner"!
September 2004
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