Are Women Really Competitive With Each Other?

Are women really more competitive with each other? Does this narrative hold true across all fields? And, is there any way to change it? I came from a residency class in which there were 6 women and 1 man. I know many of our attending physicians were concerned that infighting and cattiness would dominate our program – but I don’t think that was the case at all. In fact, I think there are many ways that women can support each other without feeling that they are losing out by doing so.

I remember clearly the feeling of pre-med competitiveness when I was in college. There was a very real fear that I was competing with others for spots. That same scarcity mentality can follow you throughout your training and even into your career as an attending physician – whether you are in academics or in private practice, self-employed or employed.

But, to truly feel that I was coming into my own – to feel secure in what I have achieved, I have found that I had to let go of that scarcity mentality. That I was competing for limited resources against other women. This narrative can be rewritten, and must be.

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss 4 strategies for learning to support other women. This is one you must listen to!