ABSTRACT
Th e sort of status we are referring to in this chapter has nothing to do with power, position, hierarchy, wealth, social standing or any of the words we might usually associate with the word ‘status’. It’s about perception: how we perceive people, how other people perceive us and how we want to be perceived. Status is physical, vocal and emotional. On a status scale of 1-10 we need to be hitting the middle status ground of 5-7 every time. We don’t want to appear aloof, arrogant or snappy (10), but nor do we want to timidly apologise for ourselves (1). Mid-level status is strong and eff ective. It shows us to be accessible, warm and approachable, and it allows the patient to feel a sense of trust, confi dence and safety.
