S03E08: Organizational Psychology of Surgery with Dr. Katrina Monton

S03E08: Organizational Psychology of Surgery with Dr. Katrina Monton

From The Intentional Surgeon with Sharon L. Stein, MD by Sharon L. Stein, MD

May 11, 2026 · 38 min · Season 3 · Episode 8

About this episode

Dr. Sharon L. Stein discusses the impact of Masculinity Contest Culture on surgical practices with Dr. Katrina Monton.

We often treat surgical culture as an immovable force of nature, something we simply have to survive. But what if the norms we pride ourselves on, the "win-at-all-costs" mentality and the "show no weakness" rule, are actually holding us back from our true potential? In this episode, Dr. Sharon L. Stein welcomes Dr. Katrina Monton , an organizational psychologist and former professional athlete. Katrina bridges the worlds of high-performance sport and medicine to unpack Masculinity Contest Culture and the deep structures that shape how surgeons work, lead, and suffer. We Discuss: High Performance vs. High Stakes: Defining the environments where visibility is high, margins for error are low, and the pressure is constant. The Four Norms of Masculinity Contest Culture : Katrina breaks down the framework that defines many high-stakes workplaces: Show No Weakness: The psychological demand to suppress vulnerability or mental health struggles. Strength and Stamina: Valorizing the 80-hour work week and physical endurance as a measure of worth. Put Work First: The prioritization of the profession over self, family, and personal identity. Dog-Eat-Dog: A culture of constant comparison and…

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