When practicing and preaching meet

First, a big thank you to all the nice comments on my previous post. This inspires to share more!

Today is a special day…

When I fell in love, my mom advised against it. She was concerned I would waste my summer job savings and neglect my medical studies. Well, 38 years later Sabine is still my beloved wife (and we both have an MD).

When I left clinical medicine to join the pharmaceutical industry, my father was against it. He was concerned that I would forget about patients and become a businessman. Well, I think that in fact I helped a bit to do the opposite and bring a bit more of the patient perspective in the center of business.

Seeing and saying things differently, in spite of this being at times very difficult (even dangerous) has over the years become a bit of a trademark for me. And in many cases good things came of that. My bosses, peers and other colleagues have often valued my "fresh" or “rebellious” take on things.

So, you would think that I should always be a champion of following one’s vision and ideas, especially when they take you off the beaten track.

Nope....

In April this year our son announced to us that he was abandoning his medical studies, in his 3rd year, just a few exams away from a Bachelor of Medicine degree, to pursue a musical career, I was very much against. My wife supported his search for fulfillment, but I was just angry!!

Of course, I have always supported the idea: “Do what makes you happy!”, and I have told this to so many people. But when my son did just that, I found it very difficult to accept. Still do, a bit.

Today is a special day.

Because today, my son has released his first song. Digitally, as these things go nowadays. And I could not be more proud of him! He may not reach his wildest dreams in music, but already he did what I really want for him: do what makes him happy.

Hence, I am now a proud member of www.TheBenWolfPack.com.

Preeti Sharma

Business Transformation | Advisory Council Member Harvard Business Review | PMO Global Awards Committee Judge PMI | OCM | DEI Champion |

4 年

It's funny how we gain a certain regrad for our parents after being a parent.

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Martina O' Regan

Global Digital Communications & Marketing Director.

4 年

Always be your person! Nice

回复
Andy Weissman

Sales and Rental at Weichert

4 年

Hi Lode I can’t believe Ben is producing music. I remember him when you guys came to the states and he couldn’t believe how much I could eat

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Dani Martinez

Oncology Senior Brand Manager (Genitourinary Cancer)

4 年

That is a tough one... I have always believed practice what you preach before you teach and you Sir have certainly walked that walk. Thanks for sharing! I also had a listen to Ben's track on spotify: BRAVO! A quality track!

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