Successful Dietitian Traits from NEDPG

Published in Look Who is Loving Their RD Life, Success by Chere Bork MS, RDN on March 13, 2013
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Top Traits of Successful Registered Dietitians

In honor of RD Day on March 13, 2013, I asked my fellow Registered Dietitians what were the top traits of successful dietitians.

  • Food lover, good listener, science nerd, good translator, cheer leader. –Carolyn O’Neil 

  • I think the most important trait of successful RDs is being a wonderful communicator….Dietitians are uniquely qualified to lead the nutrition conversation – everywhere from the media to the water cooler.  Communication skills are at the heart of building relationships which are a crucial component to success.  Outstanding communication skills can earn dietitians more career opportunities, enjoyment and income.  Whether they are working with clients, doing presentations, writing articles, engaging in media or social media, participating in legislative activities or simply networking, exceptional communication skills will help dietitians promote better nutrition, the dietetics profession, and their own careers. – Melissa Joy Dobbins MS, RD, LDN, CDE 
  • Saying NO to business that doesn’t drive us where we want to goKnowing our true market value and negotiating our worth-rising above “commodity” pricing to specialist and Master pricingReinvesting in our business! I see so many RDs hesitant to spend money-reinvesting consistently in my brand, my materials has been a key to growth for me. – Kate Geagan, MS, RD 

  • Creativity and courage!   Creative to come up with new ideas to be innovative and courage to put yourself out there to get it done!  Jen Haugen, RD, LD 

  • Successful RDs keep their minds open to new trends and new scientific breakthroughs, but do not get caught up with the latest fads just to be “cutting edge”. Sandy Livingston, RD, LD/N
  • Be curious without assumption or judgement! Successful RDs flex a keen ability to remain curious, engaging fully in the presence of their work/passion, relationships and themselves. – Karen Klimczak, RD, LDN 

  • The top trait of a successful RD is passion.  A successful RD possesses a passion for health through nutrition and leads by example.  They Walk the Walk and it shows! –  Angie Lamberson, MS, RD, LDN, CDE   

  • A trait of a successful RD is one that is always up for a challenge.  Whether it’s a challenging client, challenging the media over the latest research study, or challenging yourself to get a higher degree or start your business.  That constant desire to push the limits both personally and professionally is what makes RDs unique from other professions.  We are continuously expanding our horizons, and I think that is what is going to carry RDs through this ever-changing era of nutrition and health. –Brooke Fredrickson, RD, CSG, LRD
  • Showing up!- Marissa Claiborne RD, CD
  • In my opinion, the top trait of a successful RD is Being a Risk Taker (living outside your comfort zone) Elisabeth D’Alto, RD, LDN
  • The top trait of a successful RD is having compassion because only by understanding our clients, reaching out to them and meeting them where they with empathy and compassion will we be able to develop a trusting relationship from which can stem change, health, and hope.-  Michaela Ballmann, MS RD Founder, Wholify

  • I believe the top trait of a successful RD is the ability to relate to people in an honest and genuinely caring way so that the nutrition information shared is received openly and a safe bond is created between client and RD. The expertise of the RD can then help transform lives.- Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD

  • Persistence! Success does not happen overnight. Consistently working with your strengths and passions over time enables you to become an expert.- Sonja K. Stetzler, MA, RD 

  • The top trait of a successful RD is passion.  A successful RD possesses a passion for health through nutrition and leads by example.  They Walk the Walk and it shows! –Angie Lamberson, MS, RD, LDN, CDE  
  • I think RDs top trait is being curious. Curiosity propels us to ask questions and explore answers. We are curious about the science, curious about how nutrients work in our body, curious about how to best promote positive health behaviors, and curious about using future medical technology in our practices. –Catherine Frederico, MS RD LDN 

  • #1 is: Take action and persevere, because without action nothing will happen. One of my favorite sayings for RDs is: It’s not what you know, it is what you do with it that really counts. Continue to MAKE it a Winning Life. Wolfe Rink 

  • He or she individualizes content shared with a client instead of just reiterating the same generic information to each person….and makes sure to share information in a way that enlightens the particular person (as opposed to simply reciting the same things heard everywhere in the media). – Lisa Raum, R.D. 
  • PERSEVERANCE/ Persistence to be a successful RD entrepreneur. Why? It requires a lot of creativity and marketing savvy, plus a million other skills, the market is up and down – and perseverance is needed to NEVER GIVE UP, to keep trying no matter what. –Alice Baland MA, LPC, RD
  • KNOWING HOW TO COOK!  I believe that the RD’s discipline-specific characteristic is the ability to combine knowledge of the science of nutrition and dietetics with the love and know how of cooking in order to translate technical information into healthy meals that people really want to eat! –Sheila M Campbell, PhD, RD

  • “The ability to relate to people in an honest and genuinely caring way so that the nutrition information shared is received openly and a safe bond is created between client and RD. The expertise of the RD can then help transform lives.- Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD   

  • KNOWING HOW TO COOK!  I believe that the RD’s discipline-specific characteristic is the ability to combine knowledge of the science of nutrition and dietetics with the love and know- how of cooking in order to translate technical information into healthy meals that people really want to eat! –Sheila M Campbell, PhD, RD  
  • Successful RDs keep their minds open to new trends and new scientific breakthroughs, but do not get caught up with the latest fads just to be “cutting edge”. –Sandy Livingston, RD, LD/N
  • A commitment to purpose with passion, positive attitude, opportunistic, courage/willingness to take risks, self confident, dedicated and commited to the field, High energy levels, self starter and proactive, creative and innovative spirit, does not fall prey to neysayers, self promoter, expert in his/her niche, builds and projects a positive business and self image.- Mitali Kapila, M.Sc  M.S  RD 
  •  My humble input of top trait of the RD (having 72 years of retrospection and introspection with such a great ride as former chair of NE and looking forward to MORE excitement as an RD) is…”Being flexible and adaptable while continuously honing skills and maintaining integrity personally and professionally.  Being judicious in prioritizing the ‘yes-factor’ so that opportunities are shared and passed on to other qualified RDs, while never forgetting to mentor and nurture burgeoning RDs, allowing all ships to rise!  Always listening to the client before speaking.”- Donna Israel
  • Follow your passion and then: continuous quality improvement to get you there and keep you there. It will be fun! –Laura Bradford, RD, LDN, RN, CDE
  • First what is the definition of successful? An RD who makes more income? Or reaches more people? Or positively impacts the health and quality of life of people? Or who is well known? Or? Regardless of the definition, I believe the trait most critical to a successful RD is integrity. We represent an evidence based profession with members coming from a variety of training and cultural backgrounds & beliefs, thereby creating a profession with varied beliefs and approaches to improving the nutrition of our country.  –Julie Schwartz MS, RD,CSSD, LD, ACSM-HFS
  • Having a passion for nutrition, health, and people.  RDs are some of the most caring and hard working people I know.  Many take care of themselves by eating right and living a balanced lifestyle thereby sharing their personal Rx with others.-Christina Barth, MS, RD, BHT, RYT
  • Trait: The ability to promote the RD as the nutrition expert.  WHY: It helps everyone- the public (Consumer) and all of us as RDs! –Marianne Romano MPA RD

 

6 thoughts on “Successful Dietitian Traits from NEDPG”

  1. Chere,
    What an honor to know you! You are a true inspiration, thank you for inspiring all RDs to be the best they can be!

    Happy National Registered Dietitian Day!!
    Jen

  2. Hi Chere! Happy RD Day to you! I love this post – terrific words of wisdom from our fellow Entrepreneurial RD’s. Thanks for including me in your post. And, congratulations on your news–Chair Elect for the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Practice Group–how wonderful!

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From Chere Bork

I love my life! I have a passion and a purpose to share my recipe for health and happiness with RDNs and others – maybe even more so now that I’ve officially retired. If you want to learn what I discovered through coaching 1000 people over 9000 hours check out my final post, “Live Like This Is Your Last Day. Someday It Will Be!”

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