Power and How People Handle It

I recently returned from one week of testing dentists in Dallas, Texas. The oral board exam is two hours of tough questions for practicing Pediatric Dentists to become board certified. I am always amazed at the smart candidates and how many are willing to pay the price to reach the goal of board certification. The examiners are volunteers and are all successful in their profession. The thing that amazes me is how power goes to the heads of some of the examiners, who have all the answers to the exam in front of them.

When in a position to judge, we should be gentle and not assume anything about who we test. They may have English as a second or third language. They may have been in practice for twenty years or had a weak academic residency. When a blank stare follows my question I always restate the question. If they do not know I ask an easier question to assess the candidates basic knowledge of the subject. Then I move forward as the answers get clearer and stronger. I see smart people who let nerves get the best of them and some just do not show up for the test. They pay a good sum and travel far to take the exam and I am sure it is intimidating to face examiners.

I tested with man kind and gentle examiners and then I got "Bob". He asked every sharp question and cut off the interviewee in the middle of sentences. If the candidate was thinking he would immediately move on. I know I need to think and it takes time to go through the files in my brain. In fact, my brain is like an iceberg-it can only hold so many penguins. I watched Bob act so smart and "show that idiot" how much they did not prepare for the board. I was sick for the young lady who got him as an examiner. Even if she was not prepared-she deserved to be treated with respect and kindness. She was not the enemy-she was a colleague.

I have no interest in knowing Bob. He can be as smart as he wants. None of us are perfect. WHen I got home from Dallas, my power was out. There was the bill-with a check and a stamp. I called and paid by phone but the power did not come on that night. I had a flashlight and read and was hot as could be. As I laid in the dark I thought this must be what hell must be like. Dark, hot and mostly my fault. I did not want the lesson but I got it. I also found out I was not that smart.

All of us will be arrogant at times. We will all be incompetent at certain things. I am a believer that fair and kind behavior will ease our lives as well as those we come in contact with. Sarcasm and smug behavior seldom has a payoff. Compassion will always pay off in our lives. Bob can be Bob- based on my interaction he is an arrogant jackass and should not be an examiner. I would hope he will reevaluate his methods or be relieved as an examiner. When we are given power-any power we should be cautious and act as if we hold a sacred trust. Pimping a candidate is not fair or good form.