Going from exception to being exceptional
Nancy Hopkins is well-known in her domain of molecular biology and cancer research. It took her 20 years to accept that she was facing a systemic problem of gender discrimination at MIT. What took her so long? As a scientist, she truly believed science was in meritocracy. It was easier to think she was not good enough than to think people didn’t see her fairly. The day reality struck her she acted like a scientist. She gathered data and garnered support from other female scientists. Together they made MIT acknowledge that there existed discrimination against women in science at MIT. She moved from being an exception to being exceptional when she used her scientific temperament to seek truth and justice and challenge a systemic collective issue.
“Merit comes in many different forms and I think that it’s our inability to recognize all those forms equally that is what discrimination is. That was the surprising discovery I made. It’s one of the great scientific discoveries that I have made in my lifetime.” – Nancy Hopkins, Professor of Biology at MIT
Diderot effect on knowledge
“Don’t get into a certification trap.” This was the advice that someone offered when I embarked on my coaching journey. Many professionals fall into a spree of certifications because they feel the acquired knowledge is not enough. Behavioral scientists call this the Diderot effect where a new possession creates a spiral of consumption that leads to additional purchases. This can completely consume our attention, effort, time, and even money. One way to handle this is to delay until you have a space to think if it matters in your professional development. What is driving your next certification? is it the need to learn or the need to acquire credentials?
“The acquisition of knowledge is a mechanical process, and learning can never be a mechanical thing.” – J. Krishnamurthy, Indian philosopher
Paradox of acceptance
I once had a difficult assignment that landed on my plate. I had dreaded it and so had many of my other colleagues. Yet it was inevitable that I should do it and that too quickly. Despite my trepidation, I completed the assignment and also got recognized for it. What helped me move was acceptance. When I accepted the situation as it is I was able to move past my fears and act. The paradox of acceptance is whatever you accept begins to change.
So what should be accepted
- There exists a problem
- Some emotions are not pleasant yet exist in us
- There are things beyond our control
Strangely, acceptance is the prerequisite to a meaningful change.
“Accept your feelings. Know your purpose. And do what needs to be done.” – Shoma Morita, Japanese psychologist, and founder of Morita Therapy