A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm (ft. Bob Lefkowitz)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm (ft. Bob Lefkowitz)

Nobel Prize-winner Bob Lefkowitz on the power of failing

OPENING QUOTE:

“It was through serendipity and really almost accidental circumstances that I became a scientist.”

—Bob Lefkowitz

GUEST BIO:

Bob Lefkowitz is best known for his groundbreaking discoveries that reveal the inner workings of an important family of cell receptors inside our bodies which essentially makes 30% to 50% of prescription drugs work, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry. He's currently James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Chemistry at Duke University, and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:

[15:09] - Embracing Failure on the Path to Success

Nobody fails like a scientist

What do all the great scientists have in common? They all have failed badly at times early in their careers. Failure after failure after failure, and then success. It’s simply part of the experience— and not just in the world of science. We would all do well to embrace the role of failure in a successful life.

[25:50] - The Power of Humor

It’s about more than just levity

Why does Bob include humor in everything he does? It helps encourage a spirit of creativity. Humor is about seeing relationships between things you might not ordinarily put together. That’s also a large part of what science is all about. 

[31:24] - The Importance of Authenticity

Why Robert holds authenticity in such high esteem

There’s no right way to be a scientist, a mentor, or a person— except the way that’s most true to who you are. Authenticity is often in short supply, but Robert says that when we embrace our authentic selves, it empowers us to achieve far more than we ever thought possible.

[46:35] - Robert on Mentoring

Principles anyone can put to use

The key to mentoring is individualization. What that means is understanding that mentoring isn’t about molding little versions of yourself— it’s about helping people become the best versions of who they are. Mentoring too often becomes an exercise in ego, but it should be an exercise in empathy.

RESOURCES:

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CREDITS: