By Rob Cooney (@EMEducation)
Master of Change
By Brad Stulberg
There is no shortage of books on the market covering the topic of change. I’ve even reviewed a few before! (Here and Here). I think we can all agree that in the ever-evolving landscape of medical education, change is the only constant. This is how author Brad Stulberg, frames his approach in his book, “Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing – Including You.”
Stulberg presents a new model for embracing and growing from life’s constant instability. Pulling from the biological concept of homeostasis, he describes change as an ongoing cycle of order, disorder, and reorder. This perspective challenges the common perception that change is an exception to the norm, emphasizing that it is, in fact, the rule governing our existence. Likewise, as biological systems engage in allostasis (stability through change), he believes that we can approach change and gain stability through change as well.
The book offers concrete principles for developing a mindset he refers to as “rugged flexibility”, along with habits and practices to implement it. This mindset is key to maintaining a strong identity and taking productive action during a challenging time that involves change. Stulberg emphasizes the importance of being in conversation with change instead of it happening to you. He also explores the paradox of both making meaning and moving forward.
One of the many concepts that resonated with me was the application of Zanshin. Although the book does not provide specific details on Zanshin, it’s a term derived from the martial art Aikido, and it refers to a state of relaxed alertness or “remaining spirit”. In essence, it’s about being fully present and engaged in the current moment, while also being able to “zoom out” and monitor what is occurring around you. It’s the opposite of target fixation. Being able to recognize when we’re overfocusing on the task in front of us and zoom out to consider alternative courses of action may help us better respond in stressful situations. Stulberg offers an approach derived from self-efficacy to begin to learn this skill: Pause, process, plan, then proceed.
Implications for Medical Educators
Medical educators can apply these insights in various ways. For instance, the concept of “rugged flexibility” can be incorporated into teaching methodologies to help students better adapt to the ever-changing medical field. Moreover, the idea of being in conversation with change can be used to encourage students to take an active role in their learning process, rather than being passive recipients of change.
Fully embracing the concepts within “Master of Change” will likely cause us to reshape our entire perception of change. The book shows us how to grow in its midst—ultimately helping us move forward better, stronger, and wiser than we were before. This book is a valuable resource for medical educators looking to equip themselves and their students with the tools to navigate the constant flux of the medical field. It provides actionable insights that can be applied in both personal and professional contexts.
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