When we tell people about our fourth value, we’re often met with confusion or laughter. “What on earth does that mean?” they ask. Or they assume we’re calling ourselves fools.
But You have to be a fool to become a master is a value we believe in deeply at Ocala Healthcare. It simply means that in order to truly learn and grow, you have to be willing to look – and at times feel – a little foolish.
A real-world example
Take our Director, Adam, as an example. He isn’t particularly confident in front of a camera – in fact, he’ll be the first to say he’s not very competent either! But he does it anyway. Because he knows that learning comes through doing – and doing something badly is still better than doing nothing at all.
There are plenty of times when Adam looks nervous, stumbles, or says the wrong thing. But that’s how improvement happens. You have to go through the awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes cringe-worthy stage before you reach confidence and mastery.
We learn by doing – not by waiting
At Ocala Healthcare, we encourage people to push themselves out of their comfort zone. That’s often where the real growth happens. Yes, you might fail. Yes, you might look a little foolish. But that’s part of the process.
This value ties directly to another one of ours – Never stop learning. And it also links nicely to It’s not outstanding if it’s not fun. Because if you can laugh at yourself along the way, the journey becomes that little bit easier – and a lot more enjoyable.
Asking for help is part of the process
Mastery doesn’t happen alone. A key part of going from “fool” to “master” is knowing when to ask for help. That takes courage. But it also takes a supportive team around you – people who are open, kind, and willing to share what they’ve learned.
At Ocala Healthcare, we’ve created a culture where we lift each other up. We value learning, we value honesty, and we value people who are brave enough to try something new.
Be bold – and embrace the learning curve
Don’t let fear hold you back from chasing your goals. If you’ve got an aspiration – personal or professional – take the first step, even if you feel uncertain or unprepared.
And remember – you have to be a fool to become a master.