Mastery for surgeons
When does a surgeon become a master?
Lilli Cooper’s no fluff newsletter.
Helping surgeons perform, and feel, better.
Lilli Cooper’s no fluff newsletter.
Helping surgeons perform, and feel, better.
Lilli Cooper’s no fluff newsletter.
Helping surgeons perform, and feel, better.
Mastery for surgeons
Striving for mastery is central to the apprenticeship model, and is a strong motivating force for humans.
While traditionally the title of master was conferred by peers upon the production of a master piece, expertise is now more reproducibly defined against proficiency criteria.
However, it is hard to define at which point a surgeon becomes a ‘master’ or ‘expert’. When is it? How do you get there? And why would you want to?
Mastery for surgeons
Striving for mastery is central to the apprenticeship model, and is a strong motivating force for humans.
While traditionally the title of master was conferred by peers upon the production of a master piece, expertise is now more reproducibly defined against proficiency criteria.
However, it is hard to define at which point a surgeon becomes a ‘master’ or ‘expert’. When is it? How do you get there? And why would you want to?
Mastery for surgeons
Striving for mastery is central to the apprenticeship model, and is a strong motivating force for humans.
While traditionally the title of master was conferred by peers upon the production of a master piece, expertise is now more reproducibly defined against proficiency criteria.
However, it is hard to define at which point a surgeon becomes a ‘master’ or ‘expert’. When is it? How do you get there? And why would you want to?
Bulletin Article
Read In Pursuit of Mastery, the article I wrote on this topic with Anna Hemmings, British Olympic kayaker, for the Royal College of Surgeons Bulletin.
Bulletin Article
Read In Pursuit of Mastery, the article I wrote on this topic with Anna Hemmings, British Olympic kayaker, for the Royal College of Surgeons Bulletin.
Bulletin Article
Read In Pursuit of Mastery, the article I wrote on this topic with Anna Hemmings, British Olympic kayaker, for the Royal College of Surgeons Bulletin.
Listen to the expert
Anna Hemmings on Mastery and resilience
Anna Hemmings MBE OLY is Britain’s most successful female marathon kayaker, with eleven World and European medals. She overcame a career-threatening illness to become a six-time world champion.
www.annahemmings.com
www.beyondthebarriers.co.uk
Anna Hemmings MBE, OLY | LinkedIn
Listen to the expert
Anna Hemmings on Mastery and resilience
Anna Hemmings MBE OLY is Britain’s most successful female marathon kayaker, with eleven World and European medals. She overcame a career-threatening illness to become a six-time world champion.
www.annahemmings.com
www.beyondthebarriers.co.uk
Anna Hemmings MBE, OLY | LinkedIn
Listen to the expert
Anna Hemmings on Mastery and resilience
Anna Hemmings MBE OLY is Britain’s most successful female marathon kayaker, with eleven World and European medals. She overcame a career-threatening illness to become a six-time world champion.
www.annahemmings.com
www.beyondthebarriers.co.uk
Anna Hemmings MBE, OLY | LinkedIn
Good thinking
On the substantial role of experience and deliberate practice in developing expertise…
“You can’t bake a cake twice as fast by baking it twice as hot”
Roger Kneebone, Professor of Surgical Education, in ‘Expert’
Good thinking
On the substantial role of experience and deliberate practice in developing expertise…
“You can’t bake a cake twice as fast by baking it twice as hot”
Roger Kneebone, Professor of Surgical Education, in ‘Expert’
Good thinking
On the substantial role of experience and deliberate practice in developing expertise…
“You can’t bake a cake twice as fast by baking it twice as hot”
Roger Kneebone, Professor of Surgical Education, in ‘Expert’
Reflection
What’s one thing if you did it better, more often, or more consistently, would give you a 1% marginal gain?
Based on Sir Dave Brailsford’s Aggregation of Marginal Gains
Reflection
What’s one thing if you did it better, more often, or more consistently, would give you a 1% marginal gain?
Based on Sir Dave Brailsford’s Aggregation of Marginal Gains
Reflection
What’s one thing if you did it better, more often, or more consistently, would give you a 1% marginal gain?
Based on Sir Dave Brailsford’s Aggregation of Marginal Gains
Surgical Coaching Membership
Private coaching programme, and community, launching in January. Limited spots available.
This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.
January 2026 Coaching Workshop
Reflect, reset and get ready for 2026. Sunday 4th January 10-11am UK time.
Surgical Coaching Membership
Private coaching programme, and community, launching in January. Limited spots available.
This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.
January 2026 Coaching Workshop
Reflect, reset and get ready for 2026. Sunday 4th January 10-11am UK time.
Surgical Coaching Membership
Private coaching programme, and community, launching in January. Limited spots available.
This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.
January 2026 Coaching Workshop
Reflect, reset and get ready for 2026. Sunday 4th January 10-11am UK time.
This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.
Yoga with Dr Shiv Chande
Join Dr Shiv Chande for a gentle 60 minute yoga session specifically for surgeon on Monday, 24 November at 8 pm (UK time) via Zoom.
No experience needed, just curiosity and a mat.
This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.
Yoga with Dr Shiv Chande
Join Dr Shiv Chande for a gentle 60 minute yoga session specifically for surgeon on Monday, 24 November at 8 pm (UK time) via Zoom.
No experience needed, just curiosity and a mat.
This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.
Yoga with Dr Shiv Chande
Join Dr Shiv Chande for a gentle 60 minute yoga session specifically for surgeon on Monday, 24 November at 8 pm (UK time) via Zoom.
No experience needed, just curiosity and a mat.
The next newsletter will be about Public Speaking
The next newsletter will be about Public Speaking
The next newsletter will be about Public Speaking
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services. The information shared should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health conditions. For personalised medical advice, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services. The information shared should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health conditions. For personalised medical advice, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services. The information shared should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health conditions. For personalised medical advice, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
Sign up for Lilli's Newsletter
A monthly letter sharing insights, reflections, and resources for clinicians and high stakes professionals who want to perform or feel better, or both!
Thoughtful content, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sign up for Lilli's Newsletter
A monthly letter sharing insights, reflections, and resources for clinicians and high stakes professionals who want to perform or feel better, or both!
Thoughtful content, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sign up for Lilli's Newsletter
A monthly letter sharing insights, reflections, and resources for clinicians and high stakes professionals who want to perform or feel better, or both!
Thoughtful content, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supporting healthcare professionals to thrive through evidence-based resources, coaching, and community.
Copyright Lilli Cooper © 2026, All Rights Reserved
Copyright Lilli Cooper © 2026
All Rights Reserved