Let’s forget for a second that I am a pharmacist by trade. Anyone, regardless of your education, belief system or social class, can put thoughts on a page. Fortunately, many do. They take many forms such as journals, blogs, poetry, songwriting, editorials, novels, plays, or scripts. Even the social media sites Twitter and Facebook are great forums for quick hits and grammar-optional pontification if needed 🙂

So why do folks write?

I’m not a philosopher by any means but I enjoy thinking and making others think. From a young age I was a curious sort with a never-ending stream of questions and observations. These served to both embarrass my parents and drive them bonkers, y’know, like the fruit-flavored candy with an even fruitier centre:

(Awesome vintage photo courtesy of Jason Liebig – http://www.collectingcandy.com/ )

It’s still true today. My curiosity about people and behavior has not waned (and yes, embarrassing the parents is MUCH more intentional and fun). Only through engagement with others can you learn about them and find out just as much about yourself. Examples include similar or disparate reactions to the same situations or messaging, coping mechanisms, value sets, and motivator/stressor combos.

Team dynamics and group behaviors are an extension of this. What does it mean to be a ‘people-person’ versus a ‘loner’? I’ve always considered myself a people-person, but that does not necessarily mean that I was always accepted as part of a community or group. Similarly, I feel drawn to loners because they tend to have an independence or quiet confidence about them, at least in appearance. If I was building a team, sprinkles of both would be essential. The extroverts want to engage and the introverts usually have well-thought out ideas and opinions that require a little encouragement to share. Having a label just oversimplifies; sometimes you want to go your own way and other times you seek out support of others. The label is best applied to a tendency, not a personality.

So back to writing…the fear of judgement can be a paralytic. Even as I type this, that gnawing sensation that my opinions are available for all to see is a bit overwhelming and downright odd. Surely many others have considered doing the same but aren’t quite ready to voluntarily have folks peer into their thought-processes. What might they learn? Will readers understand my premise?

So these are my thoughts and anyone is welcome to them. Whether you’re a member of the pharmacy profession or on the fringe, I’ve been inspired by so many people it’s tough to acknowledge each one of them properly. Patients, family, friends and colleagues have all had a hand in this project, whether it be good supportive advice or reality checks. The best way I know to thank them is to keep sharing bits of me that they’ve helped grow.

For that I write…

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.