Scalpel and Sword: Conflict and Negotiation in Modern Medicine

EP20 - Sharpen The Sword: From Speakeasy to Surgery - Empathy and Conflict Lessons with Kenneth Austin Cox

Episode Summary

Join host Dr. Lee Sharma and guest Kenny Cox, as they explore parallels between managing a bar and navigating conflicts in medicine. Learn how empathy, creativity, and understanding hierarchies can improve workplace dynamics and relationships in high-pressure environments.

Episode Notes

Can lessons from managing a speakeasy transform how physicians handle conflict?

Dr. Lee Sharma discusses with Kenny Cox about his journey from dishwasher to bar manager, drawing insights on empathy, hierarchy, and creativity. Kenny shares stories of resolving staff conflicts, fostering a positive work culture, and adapting to challenges like post-COVID staffing.

While highlighting the "love always wins" approach, he discusses building trust, setting boundaries, and using creativity to lubricate the "machine" of operations. Tune in for parallels to medicine, including patient relationships and the art of caregiving, in this debut "Sharpen the Sword" episode.

Three Actionable Takeaway:

Build Empathy Through Experience – Start from the bottom to understand team feelings; Kenny's rise from dishwasher helps him relate genuinely, reducing conflicts by validating emotions and fostering trust—apply this in medicine by recalling your early training to connect with staff and patients.
Use Creativity in Conflict Resolution – Approach disputes with fresh perspectives, like turning complaints into growth opportunities or using "love always wins" to de-escalate; Kenny emphasizes adapting rules creatively while maintaining boundaries, similar to tailoring patient care for better outcomes.
Lubricate the Machine for Smooth Operations – Recognize workplace "stickiness" and use empathy, clear communication, and fun (e.g., team-building) to ease tensions; Kenny's post-COVID adaptations highlight investing in people over quick fixes, mirroring medicine's need for resilient teams and artistic patient interactions.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest

Kenny Cox, manager of Sneak & Dawdle, a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge in Opelika, Alabama, has 15 years of hospitality experience, starting as a dishwasher at his father’s restaurant—a retired oncology supply executive’s venture. Rising through kitchen and bartending roles, he co-owned a liquor store at 24, gaining early management skills, and later owned and sold multiple bars before joining Sneak & Dawdle in 2022. Known for his “love always wins” philosophy, Kenny fosters a tight-knit, positive team culture, emphasizing empathy from his ground-up perspective, much like medical hierarchies. His conflict resolution approach—turning complaints into growth and setting boundaries creatively—parallels strategies for physicians navigating workplace “stickiness.”

Managing a hidden venue, Kenny builds community through limited social media (@sneakanddawdle) and authentic service, earning praise for staff like himself and bartender Alex. His leadership inspires parallels to artistic, empathetic patient care.

Address: 717 1st Ave Suite B, Opelika, AL 36801, United States

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma