inquiry.... It is a grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of
seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion
and a sense of duty.”
Among the leaders I spoke with, scientist and philanthropist
Mathilde Krim said, “To the extent that school is regimented, I
don’t like it.” And Edward C. Johnson III, chairman of the
board and CEO of Fidelity Investments, said, “Sitting in a
classroom was never one of my strengths, but I’ve always been
curious about ideas and objects.” Johnson instinctively knew
the difference between teaching and learning, between training
and education.
Obviously, we cannot do away with—or do without—fami-
lies or schools or any of the instruments of homogeneity. But
we can see them for what they are, which is part of the equa-
tion, not the equation itself.
The prevailing equation is:
family + school + friends = you
But the only workable equation for anyone aspiring to self-
hood is:
family + school + friends = true you
you
In this way, rather than being designed by your experience,
you become your own designer. You become cause andeffect
rather than mere effect.
Self-awareness = self-knowledge = self-possession = self-
control = self-expression.
You make your life your own by understanding it.
On Becoming a Leader