Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

Understand How Relationships Work: Research that cuts across a variety of fields, including social psychology, anthropology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, economics, and management science, has given rise to the theory that all human relationships can be characterized as operating under one of four ‘relationalmodels’ across all societies. FromWall Street bankers to the Moose tribe of Burkina Faso, the models stay the same, The Relational Models Theory, as driven by the work of Dr. Alan Fiske of UCLA 2 , has been supported by hundreds of empirical studies; it has shown that there are four basic forms of social coordination that humans use to structure all kinds of interaction. These four types of interaction apply to success networks as well. Understanding and discussing the relational expectations between you and your advisors will help you to better maximize those relationships. Relational Model Description Communal Sharing (CS) The focus here is not on reciprocity but aid, with individuals takingwhat they need and contributing what they can without attending to how much each person gives or receives. Close kin and friend relationships are typically CS relationships. Authority Ranking (AR) In AR relationships, people higher in rank have prestige, prerogatives, and privileges that those below them lack. Individuals taking part in the AR relationship are often entitled to an expectation of protection and care from the individual holding the superior position in the relationship, whether that superior position is based on rank, age, wisdom, or social standing. Equality Matching (EM) Equality matching (EM) relationships are based on a model of even balance: turn taking, in-kind reciprocity, and equal replacement. Typical teammate or colleague relationships are common EM relationships. Market Pricing (MP) People in a MP relationships usually evaluate such relationships by focusing on a single evaluative dimension (e.g., money, effort, or time). Cost benefit assessments using such dimensions are at the heart of MP relationships; associations with your tax person, financial advisor or any paid service provider are typically characterized as MP relationships. 2 See additional resources at the end of the chapter for additional readings on relational models. 4. CLOSENESS & DISTANCE As you evaluate your map, what is the distribution of people in terms of closeness and distance from you? There is merit in having people across the spectrum who can provide anything from a “shoulder to cry on” to more objective analysis of a situation. 5. NETWORK SUPPORT PATTERNS Reflect on your patterns of relationships here. Did you have a comprehensive network in terms of support coverage? What dimensions of support were missing? As you read the next section, youwill gain additional insights into relational models and your natural style of building relationships. Your Success Network 399 WWW.PHYSICIANCAREERPLANNING.COM