What Surgery Taught Me About Business
Last Thursday, I underwent a minor surgery to remove a small skin cancer. Although it wasn’t life-threatening, it was enough to pause my routines and shift my perspective, both personally and professionally.
At first, I debated whether to share this experience on a platform like LinkedIn. Surgery is personal, after all. However, during the quiet moments of recovery, I found myself reflecting on several lessons that apply just as much to business as they do to life. Here are six that stood out:
1. Family Is the Foundation
During recovery, my husband and sons became my greatest support system. They checked on me constantly, made coffee, brought sparkling water and orange juice, and kept me company when I needed it most. Yesterday, my 17-year-old son sat with me for hours, simply talking. My husband, with endless patience, has cared for me from the moment we arrived at the hospital and continues to do so now. Their care and love were deeply healing.
In business, we often focus on building strong professional teams. It is easy to overlook how much personal relationships sustain us. A strong support system, at home or at work, makes it easier to face setbacks and return stronger. These bonds should never be taken for granted. Work must never take priority over the people who keep us grounded.
2. Recovery Requires Respect
The day after surgery, I convinced myself I was ready to bounce back. The photo at the start of this article was taken at Tips and Toes, where I booked a manicure and pedicure, and got my hair done. Then I ran a few errands, and even hosted a small dinner party that night. That was a mistake. My bandages began bleeding at the dinner table, and I was mortified. Even worse, I spent the next three days confined to bed, exhausted and shaky.
The experience was a clear reminder: recovery cannot be rushed. In business, we often try to push through difficulty or fatigue, but doing so without rest can lead to setbacks that are far more serious. Recovery is not weakness, it is part of growth.
3. Sharing Builds Connection
Initially, I hesitated to share news about the surgery. It felt too personal for a professional space. Eventually, I posted a short update, and the response overwhelmed me. Friends, clients, and colleagues offered words of encouragement, empathy, and even shared their own stories.
The morning of the surgery, I woke up early and went for a sunrise walk. I felt calm and strong, lifted by the kind messages I had received. Clients and friends sent flowers, food and heartfelt notes. In the photo above, the sender sent me a note with a reminder of what I frequently tell my clients. "Pause if you want to make an impact". What a sweet message! That unexpected outpouring reminded me why I started this business in the first place: to make a meaningful impact. What I didn’t expect was just how much my clients would impact me in return.
4. Empathy Is a Leadership Skill
For years, I viewed empathy and sympathy as interchangeable. I now understand the difference. I have always held myself to high standards and expected the same from my children, my clients, and my team. That mindset has helped me get results, but it has also made me impatient when others were struggling. I often quoted, "If it were easy, everyone would do it".
This experience helped me realize that while I often feel sympathy, I have not always shown true empathy. Sympathy sees the struggle; empathy feels it. Recovering from surgery gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to face difficulty, and how important it is to lead with compassion. This has been a tough lesson.
5. Stillness Brings Clarity
Recovery is giving me the rare opportunity to slow down. In this stillness, I have time to reflect. I am reflecting on what matters, who I want to work with, and the kind of impact I want to create. I also recognized some habits that no longer serve me.
Clarity doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes, it comes from sitting quietly long enough to truly listen to yourself.
6. Stop Comparing Your Journey to Someone Else’s
One of the biggest emotional struggles I faced before and after surgery had nothing to do with physical pain. Tt was the feeling that my experience wasn’t significant enough to matter. I know people who have endured serious illnesses, long and painful recoveries, and even life-threatening diagnoses. Some are still fighting. Others, heartbreakingly, did not survive.
In comparison, my procedure felt minor. Because of that, I began to dismiss my own emotions. I felt that I didn’t have the right to feel anxious, tired, or afraid. This mindset left me emotionally stuck and unable to process what I was going through.
Then a mentor gave me a piece of advice I won’t forget: stop comparing. That simple phrase shifted everything.
Comparing our pain or progress to someone else’s can paralyze us. It makes us feel small or unworthy, and it keeps us from healing. Ironically, I rarely experience jealousy in business. I tend to admire others' success and use it as inspiration. However, in this case, instead of admiring the resilience of others who had faced serious health issues, I used their stories to invalidate my own.
Every experience is valid. Every emotion deserves space. In both business and life, comparison can limit potential and erode self-compassion. Healing begins when we give ourselves permission to feel what we feel, without judgment.
Closing Reflection
Your journey is your own. It doesn't have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Give yourself the same grace you’d extend to others. Life has a way of slowing us down when we need it most. This experience reminded me that strength can be quiet, healing takes time, and empathy often grows through personal trials. When we give ourselves space to rest, reach out for support, and respond to setbacks with humility, we return not only renewed—but wiser, more focused, and more connected.
