At first glance, this month's cover story, "The Making of an Ophthalmologist," might seem a bit different than the articles you're accustomed to seeing in our publication. But really, it's not. The article addresses management -- personal management that's necessary if we are to achieve personal growth, which in the long run is linked to professional growth.

DOES AN "OPHTHALMIC PERSONALITY EXIST?"

The article was crafted by consultant John Pinto, who's worked alongside ophthalmologists for more than two decades. His aim was to figure out what role a surgeon's personality plays in his or her business success. And in his words, "If we dare to generalize, what are the roots of the typical ophthalmologist's personality?" He enlisted the help of an experienced psychologist and set about analyzing hours of his own interviews with surgeons, some on the record and some off. He examines how we as ophthalmologists have been shaped by many of the same experiences, among them demanding parents and rigorous training. Consequently, we exhibit many of the same personality traits.

Just about all of these traits, such as confidence and perfectionism, we couldn't do without as surgeons. But untempered by some self-awareness, these same traits can work against us in profound ways, perhaps in the form of failed marriages, rocky relationships with the people who work with us or business arrangements that implode. Some of the most costly decisions that we make in life are the result of us not knowing our own strengths and weaknesses.

SOME INTROSPECTION IS ALWAYS HEALTHY

We hope that this month's cover story helps you to come to a better understanding of what makes you tick, so to speak, and how some changes in the way you approach life might lead you to more success and happiness. So turn to page 36, put yourself to a kind of "ophthalmic personality test" -- and make sure it's not you who's holding you back. Then, take the insights you've gained and the advice the article offers and use them to your advantage as you try to be the best you can be, personally and professionally.