2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Ellie’s superior at the hospital asks, “Do you think you’re a better surgeon than they are?” She responds, “Yes, sir, I do.” Ellie admits to being arrogant and believes it’s a necessity for surgeons – a sign of confidence in their abilities. Thoughts? In your opinion, is this true in real life? In her personal life, Ellie’s confidence is lacking or so she’s told. Why do you think Ellie lacks confidence in her life outside of her profession? What influenced the way she sees herself personally?

She definitely has a healthy professional ego. But her skills back up her ego. She doesn't flaunt her abilities. She isn't out to make everyone acknowledge her skills. Her personal life is a totally different issue. She was always smarter than the kids around her including her sisters. Being send away from her family and community made her timid around them the rare times she saw them. She was very unsure of her position in her family and knew that what had happened to her changed everything.

I worked for two large heath care systems. The comment didn't surprise me. It doesn't take long to find out which doctors are full of it, and which ones really are the best. I believe Ellie speaks the truth.

I agree with Anita. Her past made her unsure of her confidence away from the job.

Yes, she had confidence; I'm not sure I would term her as arrogant, however. She was a child prodigy and never was in a good social position because she went to college as a young teen and was younger than the doctors she was supervising.

Add that to what happened to her as a child, and then how her sister betrayed her, and her family situation was understandable.

I agree with Charlene, there is a difference between arrogance and confidence. Ellie was confident. I think confidence is what I want in a surgeon.

I agree! Ellie was extremely confident & that's important to a surgeon imo.