Relationships Span the Chasm

I recently heard on NPR a doctor named David Loxtercamp, author of “A Measure of Days: The Journal of a Country Doctor.” He described his views of the medical profession, and sounded like a wise and thoughtful physician.

During his interview, he read some of his pearls of wisdom, one of which really resonated with me. He was talking about patients and their doctors, but I think it could be applied to any profession in which practitioners must understand the needs or “pain” of its patients, clients, customers, etc.

After absorbing what he said, here is how I would apply Dr. Loxtercamp‘s thoughts to project work, particularly business analysis:

• Clients (he said patients) can’t see outside their pain.
• Analysts usually can’t experience their clients’ pain.
• Relationships are the only way to span the chasm between the two and allow us to help solve the client’s problems.

I thought that was a simple, yet profound view of the challenge of discovering what people need, and it put some things into better perspective for me. What do you think?