You Don’t Need a Title to Lead in the OR

There’s a belief that leadership in the operating room starts and ends with the surgeon. That the one holding the scalpel holds all the authority, all the weight, all the credit.

But every time I step into an OR, I see leadership take on dozens of forms — and almost none of them require a title.

It’s in the Surgical Technologist who anticipates what’s needed before it’s asked for. In the nurse who quietly advocates for a patient no one is talking about. In the resident who has the courage to say, 'I don’t know — can you show me?'

Leadership in surgery isn’t about being the loudest or the most senior. It’s about presence, preparation, and emotional intelligence — all things that rarely show up on an org chart.

Too often, Surgical Techs are treated like supporting characters in a story we help keep moving. But the truth is, when we recognize and embody our own leadership, the entire surgical team operates differently.

You don’t need a new degree, a formal title, or a louder voice to lead.

You just need to show up — consistently, thoughtfully, and ready to teach through action.

This is what we believe at For the Love of Surgery. And if you’re ready to lead in your own lane, subscribe to the blog or connect with us — because leadership doesn’t wait for permission.