I have always considered myself to be easygoing and minding my business. My personality definitely was one to please a majority but definitely not all people.
My unpleasant encounter was one with a consultant in my profession whom I enjoyed relating with. There was always a distance between senior and junior doctors, but the setting of my training permitted us to relate on fairly friendly ground. On several occasions, I was called upon by the index consultant to carry out tasks that were not within my jurisdiction; however, because of my nature and her friendliness, I obliged her excesses. My first observation was a gossip I heard she said about me. I had gone for a professional examination along with my colleagues and thankfully passed, while a colleague in her unit failed the examination. I heard she was displeased when her favorite candidate didn't pass his exam while I did.
I didn't see a big deal in what I heard, nor did I confront her since she was my senior medical colleague. However, her attitude towards me changed significantly, making me stay extra hours in the hospital or ordering me to do tasks my junior doctors should do. I maintained my calm even though I was already getting frustrated. About four months after I had passed my professional examination, I made a PowerPoint presentation in the department, and she rubbished my work. The painful part was that she said all sorts of things even in the presence of junior colleagues. It was a Friday, one I can't forget in a haste. In fact, I went to Facebook and removed her from my friends list. As though God heard my heart cry, I got my index job the weekend following that departmental presentation, and by morning, I got my resignation letter ready.
The crux of the whole matter was that the lady consultant openly stated that she didn't like me, yet again in the presence of junior colleagues but thankfully with other medical consultants around. It was at that moment I marveled at how two other lady consultants defended me and rebuked her instantly. That scenario remains very fresh in my memory, seeing two older colleagues come to my defense when I didn't deserve it. For those that have medical field experience, especially in Nigeria, the medical seniors were like gods and goddesses to be worshipped from afar.
It's been almost four years since that incident, and I am still very much in communication with those two consultants that defended me, while I have not had any encounters with the lady consultant that went out harsh against me. Guess we've not had reasons to cross paths, and I prefer to stay distant from toxic people.
Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.