The Educator Who Taught Me to See the Genius in Others – And What It Means for Healthcare

Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Dan Linford, on the Medical Manners podcast. Dan is now a superintendent of a large school district, but I first met him years ago when he was an English teacher and student body officer advisor. Back then, I was just a student—but Dan’s belief in me and his unique way of connecting with those around him changed the course of my life.

During our conversation, we explored some powerful principles that apply just as much to healthcare as they do to education. Dan's insights have stayed with me over the years, and I want to share a few takeaways that deeply impacted me—and might change the way you care for your patients.

1. Be a Multiplier: See and Call Out the Genius in Others

Dan talked about the concept of “multipliers”—people who recognize the genius in others and help them see it too (idea based on Liz Wiseman's book, 'Multipliers'). When someone sees potential in us, we often rise to meet it. It made me wonder: what would it look like if we applied this in healthcare?

What if we chose to look for our patients’ strengths—resilience, courage, perseverance—and named them out loud? Instead of focusing solely on what’s wrong, we could point out what’s right. By doing so, we may help our patients engage in their own healing more fully. People tend to contribute at their highest level when someone believes in them.

2. Refuse to See People as Anything Less Than Their Best Selves

Dan reminded me that people rise—or fall—to the level of our expectations for them. When we choose to see others through a lens of hope and possibility, we give them permission to grow into that version of themselves.

This is especially true in healthcare. When we treat a patient as capable of making healthy choices, of changing, of healing—we often help them believe it too. Instead of labeling patients by their past behaviors or diagnoses, what if we saw them as people capable of transformation? What if we treated every visit as a moment to reflect that belief?

3. You Can’t Help Someone Change If You Don’t See the Good in Them

One of the most profound truths Dan shared was this: “If you don’t see the good in others, you definitely won’t be someone who helps them change.” As providers, we are in a position of influence—but that influence depends on our attitude.

Our patients can feel whether we believe in them. If we approach them with judgment or frustration, it’s unlikely they’ll move toward health. But if we offer compassion, respect, and belief in their potential, we might just become part of their transformation. And honestly—there’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone change for the better.

4. You’re in a Miracle-Producing Position—So Why Not Produce Miracles?

Dan said something that stopped me in my tracks: “You’re in this awesome miracle-producing position, and so you may as well produce miracles. And it's almost exlusively a matter of attitue and approach, it doesn't take much more energy” He wasn’t talking about dramatic, movie-worthy moments. He meant the everyday miracles of showing up with kindness, of choosing to believe in someone, of helping another person feel seen and valued.

In healthcare, we are uniquely positioned to influence lives. Sometimes all it takes is a shift in attitude—an extra moment of presence, a word of encouragement, or a look that says, I see you. I believe in you. These small acts can become big miracles in someone’s day—or even their life.

Final Thoughts

Because someone once did the same thing for him, Dan Linford has spent his life helping people rise to the occasion of their own brilliance, and I am one of the many who’ve benefited from his belief. As healthcare providers, we have that same opportunity—to be multipliers, to see the good, to believe in change, and to participate in miracles.

Let’s challenge ourselves to see the genius in our patients, and just maybe, they’ll begin to see it in themselves too.

Listen to the full episode with Dr. Dan Linford on the Medical Manners podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medical-manners/id1768747772?i=1000703663679