Shared tragedy is a powerful force that binds people in unexpected ways. The survivors of plane crashes, those who fought side-by-side in war, and victims of natural disasters find ways past their differences and to the core of humanity that defines us beyond what we otherwise identify with or as. The sense of common ground [...]
Discovering new ways of approaching old problems excites me. I quickly become bored doing the same things in the same ways. Behavioral assessments confirm that it is my nature to change things up and disrupt things, which can frustrate people around me. Others find it compelling to maintain routines and apply consistency to make the [...]
I had never really considered that there was a difference between my mind and my brain. The brain is an organ that stores memories, regulates bodily functions, and enables me to feel and think. I assumed it was a vessel for my thoughts—or perhaps even the source. However, the mind and the brain are fundamentally [...]
Iain is a British colleague born and raised in the United Kingdom. He is my best friend in "the" world. Iain suggests that I inhabit two worlds: one distinctly American—my world—and the other, "the" world, representing everything beyond the geographic borders of the United States. He believes that the sense of superiority fostered by an [...]
I look at the dysfunctional things caused by incompetent people, feel compelled to get involved, and offer my observations and assessments. It’s one thing when people are annoying in public or social situations, but I have difficulty not saying something when they are employees serving customers. It’s the same as I would expect a physician [...]
Is it the person or the forces they command that define powerful leaders? The romantic image of heroic leaders imbues them with mythical powers. But I have never met a leader who doesn’t put on their shoes one at a time. A leader’s power is by proxy: it resides in their influence over others. The [...]
“When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” My daughter shared this adage with me when she was studying medicine. It is taught to all medical students to emphasize that they should first look for the more likely problems and solutions. The phrase, coined by Nobel laureate Dr. Theodore Woodward, is grounded in the philosophical [...]
The most crucial quality I look for when choosing people to surround myself with is curiosity. It is my first determinant when hiring employees, agreeing to work with clients, and initiating friendships. I find those who are habitually curious about things more interesting. They bring value to the relationships and joy to my life. The [...]
I have often wondered why I have always felt antagonistic towards religion. Throughout my religious education as a child and the spiritual aspect of my life since, I have rejected organized religion for myself and have been curious about what makes people embrace it. My discomfort is not with any specific religion but with all, [...]
From my view of the world, questions are more powerful than answers. Working with the people I have for the past twenty years to help them understand the power of questions as a means to the ends they desire makes clear that the concept is simple but hardly easy. It isn't that having the answers [...]
