How to Deal With the Silent Treatment
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811

“Many exercise physiologists would sooner go down with the ship than talk about the American Society of Exercise Physiologists.  In fact they are doing just that.”  -- William T. Boone 

Several days ago I heard several of my graduate students refer to the ASEP board certification as an “invisible” certification.  They concluded that the exam is not important because a lot of employers are not aware of it.  In some respects, they were right.  Of course, I caught myself arguing on behalf of the EPC, and why not?  I understand why the exam is important.  Later, I asked myself:  “Are other exercise physiologists giving the silent treatment to the EPC exam?”  I think it is obvious that non-ASEP exercise physiologists are not supporting the exam.  Very likely, a significant number is talking badly about the exam as if it has no merit whatsoever.

My students asked me about the number of board certified exercise physiologists.  Why is the number so small?  They asked, “Why aren’t more students sitting for the exam?”  I shared with them that the number is small because the exam is new and challenging.  I argued that, in this case, maybe it is good that everyone can’t qualify to sit for the exam.  From the beginning, it was not meant to be a generic exam that anyone could pass.  The fact that there are just over 100 board certified exercise physiologists represents a new way to think about exercise physiology certifications.  In time the EPC will be the recognized certification for accessing the professional title, Exercise Physiologist. 

The first EPC exam was given in the fall of 2000 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.  The small number of candidates since then couldn’t mean that the ASEP-EPC initiative is being purposefully ignored?  Or, does it?  Ignoring the power and simplicity of the EPC exam or giving the silent treatment to anyone who supports it a pretty good definition of ostracism.  Would non-ASEP exercise physiologists use the silent treatment on their students who think ASEP has something to offer exercise physiology?  Would their differences with ASEP cause them to ostracize its initiatives rather than consider them? 

If so, the notion put forth by my students may validate the “cold shoulder” to the EPC exam.  And, if this is true, the “shunning” is a definite form of ostracism that is a poor means of resolving conflict.  Of course the “conflict” is defined by the traditional and philosophic differences between the American Society of Exercise Physiologists and sports medicine.  Because of these differences, the silent treatment is not about something trivial.  Unfortunately, the game of ostracism does not require the person(s) or organizations to explain the silent treatment.  What could possibly be a better form of power and control than the absence of an explanation?

If it is true that the ASEP initiatives are being given a cold shoulder, what should the ASEP leadership do?  Perhaps, a business and behavioral strategy for coping with the silent treatment must be developed and communicated throughout the organization.  This might be the first approach to dealing with the long-term ostracism.  At the same time, it might be insightful to help the abusers understand their sense of power as well as the psychological and physiological costs to them and others when they use the silent treatment.  On the other hand and, perhaps, a more positive view, instead of inflicting punishment, why not deescalate the differences between organizations, emotions, and punishments? 

This may allow for a new beginning where there is a sense of belonging with increased affiliation and intimacy with others that produce a number of positive psychological and physical consequences.  Stopping ostracism should allow for thinking that is positive to one’s self-esteem.   Individuals from either side should feel less accused of having done something wrong, thus allowing for more positive self-fulfilling behaviors.  Try to imagine what good could come from coming together.  Professionalism is not a singular process on either side.  It is a series of strategies for increased awareness to avoid the phenomenon of feeling excluded from the interactions of those around you. 

Will this kind of thinking help both sides to be more compassionate and therefore collaboration?  Not according to what has transpired so far.  That seems like an unfortunate statement, but I'm certain of one thing.  Ultimately, exercise physiologists should stand on the side of individuals who value students first, organizational objectives second.  Once they realize that there is no going back to the days of sports medicine, it is logical that there will be a growing yearning for a sense of higher purpose (such as becoming a healthcare professional).  ASEP has the infrastructure to lead exercise physiologists to greatness.  It is about professionalism, accountability, credibility, and leadership.  Think of the ASEP organization as a guide to your professional journey.  ASEP is all about vision, conviction, and courage.

These may be new words and feelings for exercise physiologists to ponder.  Likewise, the situation that many exercise physiologists may not be all too familiar with (i.e., ostracism) may need some time sink in.  How does a person deal with it?  One of the ways is to recognize that it is no illusion.  Concerns may range from “is it in my head” or “is it reality”.  Sometimes actions driven by a vision are too much for those who have different views on the same subject.  It is risky for them because it is recognized as a profound shift in their usual ways of thinking and doing things.  Members of yesterday’s thinking want things to stay as they have been.  The supportive organization and the backing of those who embrace it are comfortable.  No one wants to trust the new thinkers or engage in the new ways without approval from the old order.  And, yet that is exactly what exercise physiologists must do!

This is why it is so important to have conviction and courage.  You really have to get to know what makes members of the new exercise physiology convinced they are right.  Significant time, energy, and resources in bringing about change begin with courage.  It is all about figuring out the politics, recognizing what you value, and trusting your instincts or, stated somewhat differently, taking a risk.  None of this is new.  Everybody practices this thinking, especially if they want to achieve significant leadership and competence in their profession.  In time, the collective image that is built from the vision becomes a shared inspiration.  Their beliefs help them deal with the ostracism.  Whatever the silent treatment is as well as the separation from colleagues due to the sparks that ignited the flame of ostracism, it all passes.  However ridiculous and radical the silent treatment, the commitment to change unlocks the power to deal it.  Warren Bennis [1] may have said it best: 

“Leaders learn by leading, and they learn best by leading in the face of obstacles.”

In the end, those who take a position on principles come out ahead of those who don’t.  Exercise physiologists who support ASEP will always be questioned or ostracized by individuals who feel that ASEP should not exist.  By and large that is the way it has always been and will be.  But there will come a time when the cynics will begin to step aside when they see the credibility of the ASEP leadership is solid.  James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, authors of The Leadership Challenge [2], wrote that people know credibility when they see “Leaders practice what they preach,” and when “They do what they say they will do.”

Those who make fun of your relationship with ASEP, those who give you the silent treatment, or who have power over you in some manner that is not professional do not understand your beliefs and values that drive you to change exercise physiology.  So, where you can, share your ideas and feelings you have learned from other ASEP exercise physiologists.  Demonstrate to everyone that you will not be stopped and that you are guided by a clear set of personal and organizational values. 

References
1. Bennis, W. (1988). On Becoming a Leader. (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
2.  Kouzes, J.M. and Posner, B.Z. ( 2002). The Leadership Challenge. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.