Creativity (or, as Maslow says, “creativeness”) is a facet of self-actualization. It is not a process that results in something novel and useful. In contrast, Maslow observed that there is a correlation (in his experience) between psychological health and ordinary creativity.

Curiosity comes from being present, trusting, and trustworthy. Rather than impeding it, curiosity facilitates progress.

Fear disguised as practicality is what we do when what we really want seems impossibly out of reach—so we never dare to ask the universe for it.

Self-regulation—while integral to our success—is not a part of our educational system. Nobody teaches us how to manage ourselves, how to stay calm under pressure while we are expected to perform with mastery. We learn this skill intuitively, through trial and error.

Transformation and learning occur when our need to move forward overcomes our reluctance. These moments bring us from one state to another rather. In birth and death we have little choice or control over our circumstances and the change is abrupt. Then, there are those transitions and challenges where we have a great deal of choice and control. It might not seem like it at the time. Becoming a first-time manager, starting a pilgrimage, embarking on a new career, working our way through the ranks—these are all examples of change we invite into our lives, where we can manage our reactivity. Yet, when navigating our lives with uncertainty, our next step feels unbelievably foreign.

If knowledge, expertise, and training do not protect against overconfidence, what does? There is one thing that everyone can do. Research advises us to embrace empathy and understanding. Consider the reasons that you may be wrong. Reducing overconfidence in yourself or others, requires us to ask: How are we mistaken? What conditions might my conclusions be incorrect? These questions are hard because we generally enter discussions attempting to prove we are right. Engaging in thinking exercises that we might fail brings up our vulnerabilities. Being vulnerable reduces our overconfidence and increases our sense of humility with our expertise.

Richard (Dick) Hamming is one of the great minds of the 20th century. Below is an attempt to capture that wisdom in one shareable place. Here you will find a short introduction to Dick Hamming, featured work, three exercises/lessons from him (and ways to apply them), as well as a selection of quotes.

Problems today are too complex to be solved by one specialized discipline. It takes multiple perspectives and skills from every discipline to solve crises like homelessness, global warming, and overpopulation. Throughout the 20th century, ever-greater specialization was encouraged, but now? There is an increase in transdisciplinary solutions such as nanotechnology, which blends molecular biology, biochemistry, protein chemistry, and other specialties.