Performance = Potential – Interference (Pe=Po – I)
Reduce the interference in your professional and personal life so you can reach your potential.
Interference has a way of building gradually. What starts as manageable can, over time, shift your focus, dilute your effort and pull you away from what matters. That is why it is important to create space at regular points throughout the year to step back and reflect on how things are going.
Taking time to reflect allows you to reset and be deliberate. It allows you to engage with what is working, what is not, what you want to change, what you want to keep the same, where you want to be this time next year and how you are tracking against this.
One concept that is useful to bring into these reflection points is ‘interference’. It is a consistent theme we see in coaching conversations. There is often more interference at play than people realise, both professionally and personally, and it builds over time if it is not addressed.
The concept of ‘Performance = Potential – Interference’ (T. Gallway, 2001) highlights that our true potential can often be overshadowed or reduced by various interferences, which is particularly relevant in the demanding and dynamic field of medicine. So, the questions to ask yourself when reflecting is what are the interferences in my personal and professional life at play now? Am I able to reduce them and how can I do this?
Interference in the medical profession
Interference for doctors can manifest in numerous ways. External interferences might include administrative burdens, staff shortages, evolving healthcare policies, challenging interpersonal relationships, organisational politics, budget constraints, training burdens and fellowship exams, new IT systems, or the ongoing stress of dealing with patient care in a rapidly changing medical landscape. Internal interferences are equally significant – these can range from personal stress and burnout, carer responsibilities and health issues, self-doubt and imposter syndrome, to the challenge of maintaining work-life balance. These factors, whether in your control or not, can significantly hinder your ability to perform at your best.
Impact of Interference on doctors' performance
The effect of interference on performance in the medical field is profound. It can limit your ability to provide optimal patient care, affect your mental health and wellbeing, and restrict your professional growth. For instance, excessive administrative tasks can take away valuable time from patient interaction, while internal factors like compassion fatigue can impact your decision-making and empathy.
Controllable vs. uncontrollable interference
It's essential for doctors to distinguish between interference that can be managed and that which is beyond your control. Striving to control the uncontrollable can lead to frustration and burnout. While you can't change certain healthcare regulations, you can adapt your approach to dealing with them, such as by seeking efficient administrative support or advocating for policy changes.
Actively managing interference
It's important for doctors to actively identify and categorise interferences. This step is crucial in developing strategies to mitigate their impact. For example, if you identify 'limited time with patients' as a controllable interference, you might explore more efficient documentation methods or delegate certain tasks. Recognising that some healthcare system challenges are beyond your control can help you focus your energies more productively.
Steps for reducing interference:
Awareness: Identify the specific sources of interference in your professional / personal life and decide whether they are within or outside your control to influence.
Changing behaviours and habits: Implement changes that can alleviate negative interference, such as adopting time management tools, implementing strong boundary management practices or mindfulness practices to reduce stress.
Seeking positive relationships and environments: Engage with supportive professional networks or environments that foster growth and reduce negative interference.
Balanced commitments: Learn to say no to obligations that detract from your core responsibilities and yes to those that enhance your professional and personal growth.
In summary
Reducing interference may sound straightforward, but in practice it is often difficult. It builds gradually, becomes normalised and can be hard to see clearly when you are in it. Managing interference is not about removing every challenge. It is about recognising what is within your control, adapting to what is not and staying focused on what matters most in your role.
This starts with being deliberate. Identify the sources of interference that are impacting you and take small, consistent steps to reduce them.
Coaching is one way to do this. It provides structured space to step back, think clearly and work through what is getting in the way. If you are looking to reduce interference and refocus your effort, you may want to engage in one of our coaching programs.
Mardi O'Keefe
Director, Engagement and Professional Growth
References
[1] Gallwey, T. (2001), The Inner Game of Work. New York, Random House Trade