I personally don’t get the appeal of being a KOL. True leaders, in my mind, exist in academia doing research. Or, they’re seeing patients in the community and sharing tips and insights (like many here). It must be an ego thing because financially like others have pointed out unless you’re a handful of “top” KOLs the financial payout just isn’t there. From lectures at night, traveling on the weekends, blocking off clinic, etc I just don’t see the financial return. I mean, imagine if they just picked up a few more shifts in the OR or stayed later in the ASC.
Maybe I’m jaded here but the 4 hour weekend course doesn’t take into account the prep time, meetings, travel etc. Must be ego.
To be clear I have nothing wrong with the Seattle Science Foundation set up that relies on Zooms, presentations, and applicable Q&A sections.