Rakesh Patel used to be a driven to work weeks that were over 100, putting in the time and the grind. He had no life outside of work and burnout was a way to prove your worth, it was glorified. Then, while in Colorado he went on his first climb in the mountains and was hooked. He has continued to climb and has brought some principles of climbing into his work life. He is calmer during surgeries, and he is a better leader. He used to be short with his staff and demanding, and now he is supportive. He learned to rely on a team during some of his harder climbs, like Mt. Everest and takes that same cooperation into his work place. Being a surgeon he now realizes that he relies on a lot of other people to make sure he is successful, he is part of a larger team, much like climbing as well. Climbing and medicine have taught him resilience, in different ways and now he can overcome any obstacle.
Key Takeaways:
- Patel first started climbing in Colorado but quickly fell in love with it and climbed all over, eventually training for the “Seven Peaks”
- Patel was working 100 weeks and had been to feel the burn out symptoms but now his climbing has given a new perspective. He is not as harsh and unyielding.
- His leadership has changed to recognize peoples strengths, and to support them during bad days. He has become a team leader as a direct result of being a member on the mountain climbs. He is calm.
“Being a doctor consumed Rakesh Patel; work weeks lasted more than 100 hours, with no focus on balance or well-being.”
