If you’d met G at the end of her life, you might have been tempted to describe her as “frail,” but a few moments in the presence of this spunky spitfire with short, curly hair would convince you there should be another word for it. Although there was no doubt that her cancer was depleting her body, her spirit remained undaunted. Her wrinkled skin had the markings of age and illness, but the truth was in her eyes: She was living what was left of life for all she was worth.
I met G (I’m changing her name for privacy…
The single most common question I get asked at the bedside of a patient is: How much longer do I (or my loved one) have to live?
The end of life lays bare the human instinct to seek predictability. And yet, rarely do I ever have an answer to this question that I have been asked so many times.
These conversations are never easy. From a clinical perspective, I cannot provide a prediction of their mortality; I cannot draw up a timetable for their final days. The truth is, no one can. …
Authenticity is a popular buzzword in business these days, and most leaders aspire to it.
But what does it actually mean to be an authentic leader, and is it always even a good thing?
People are generally considered authentic if they are true to themselves and sincere in their intent: They say what they mean, and do what they say they will do. Those are mostly great traits.
But to some extent, we’re all authentic and inauthentic at the same time — or should be. If we’re interested in personal growth, we’re in the process of “becoming.” …
