Recently, I had a conversation with my son, Jonathan, that made me reflect on the role of pressure and tenacity in healthcare and life. Jonathan, a bright and capable young man, had been wrestling with the expectations placed on him—particularly regarding his academic achievements and the possibility of a future in medicine.
One evening, he confided in me, expressing concern that we were pushing him too hard toward a medical career. The weight of those expectations, he said, felt overwhelming.
I listened carefully and reassured him that his career choice was entirely his own. “You can be anything you want to be,” I told him. “But I will never ask you for less than your best.” I explained that his high abilities meant that his "best" would always be held to a high standard. This is where I introduced him to an important concept that is true not just in healthcare but in any demanding field: "Pressure is a privilege."
That phrase, famously associated with the high-stakes world of the US Open tennis tournament, resonated with Jonathan—and for good reason. In healthcare, doctors and nurses face incredible pressure because they are entrusted with people’s lives. That pressure drives them to be vigilant, compassionate and innovative.
It’s the reason we spend countless hours studying, practising and facing difficult cases head-on. "Pressure is a privilege" means that when people expect great things from you, it's because they see your capability. It’s an opportunity to rise to the occasion. In healthcare, the trust placed in us isn’t given lightly—it’s earned through years of training, commitment, and the belief that we have the skills to make a difference.
But pressure alone doesn’t guarantee success. That’s where the second lesson comes in, another phrase born from the world of tennis: "Victory belongs to the most tenacious." This slogan, closely associated with the French Open, speaks to the gruelling nature of perseverance.
Success in any field, especially in medicine, requires exactly that—tenacity. There will be challenges, setbacks and difficult cases. Tenacity is about not giving up when things get tough. It’s the quality that keeps healthcare professionals pushing forward, staying committed to excellence even when the odds seem insurmountable.
In my own career, I’ve seen this time and again. Whether it's facing resource limitations, navigating complex patient cases or grappling with the sheer emotional toll of the profession, the path is rarely smooth.
But those who succeed—the innovators, the leaders, the ones making lasting impacts—are the ones who remain steadfast in the face of adversity. They understand that the combination of pressure and tenacity is what enables them to lead their teams, find new solutions and improve patient outcomes.
I wanted Jonathan to understand that this isn’t just true in healthcare; it applies to any endeavour in life. Whether you’re a doctor, an engineer, or an artist, those who rise to the top are not just the ones with talent or ability, but the ones who embrace pressure as an opportunity and refuse to give up when things get difficult.
This is a lesson that many of us in healthcare need to remind ourselves of as well. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the expectations placed on us—by our patients, our colleagues and even ourselves. But when we see pressure as a privilege and tenacity as the key to success, we can face those challenges with confidence and resilience.
As healthcare professionals, we are given the immense responsibility of caring for others, and with that comes a significant amount of pressure. But it’s this very pressure that pushes us to innovate, to constantly improve and to lead. And when things get tough, it’s our tenacity that ensures we don’t just survive—we thrive.
So as you continue your journey in healthcare, remember to embrace the pressure. See it as a reflection of the trust others place in you, and as fuel for your growth. And when you encounter setbacks, hold fast to your tenacity. Keep striving, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.
In the end, victory belongs to those who refuse to give up. And for those of us in healthcare, that victory isn’t just personal—it’s measured in the lives we improve and the contributions we make to the field and society.
This piece isn’t just about Jonathan—it’s about all of us. The privilege of pressure, the power of tenacity and the opportunity to lead, innovate and make lasting contributions to the field of healthcare—and any other endeavor in life. Let’s carry these principles with us as we continue on our journeys, making an impact not just in our own careers, but in the lives of those we serve.
