Pyramids and Roundtables: a reflection on leadership

By the nature of their career choice, surgeons are leaders at a variety of levels. The rise to leadership positions in surgery often requires scaling a steep pyramid. Many young surgeons are poorly prepared for what is frequently a competition with their peers. Some of the qualities young surgeons must possess to ascend the leadership pyramid are summarized by the “HOPES” of leadership: Honesty, recognition of Opportunity, having a Plan, knowing your Environment, and Self-assessment.