3 Key Elements of a Bio-Inspired Mindset to Help You Thrive in Life and Leadership
The natural world is a constant source of wonder. It’s what got me into pursuing biology in the first place!
Every year, my family and I spend part of the summer in Colorado. We’ve taken a family photo (starting the year I was pregnant with our son) at the exact same beautiful spot each year. This tradition reminds me that people change quickly, but careful stewardship can help nature stay vibrant and healthy over longer timescales. Giving to nature makes it easier for nature to give back to us.
As I hiked through mountains and forests this year, I found myself reflecting on three key aspects of a bio-inspired mindset:
Everything is connected.
My work focuses on the connections between people and technology; people and the natural world; and technology and the natural world. When we look for convergences, we open ourselves to powerful possibilities for positive impact. You’ll be hearing more from me later on the power of convergence as AI comes to biotech and healthcare—stay tuned!
Diversity is the fuel for innovation.
In this photo, we see biology in action—the bee fits perfectly into the flower, thanks to evolution! Here’s another fun fact: nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely or in part, on animal pollination (that includes bees, butterflies, bats, and birds). Pollinators are key to conserving biodiversity.
Nature never solves a problem just one way, so why should we? Evolution shows us that diversity in inputs helps promote diversity in outputs, lessening the odds that a shock will be catastrophic. By analogy, diversity in inputs to our innovations, businesses, and communities—inputs including human capital and creativity—can help position us for resilience over both short and long time horizons.
Always be curious!
No matter how many times I return to Colorado, I’m always surprised by something new to me … a new trail, a new weather pattern, a new acquaintance, a new experience. All I need to do is keep my eyes open and my brain firing. And I always need to be ready to ask that most golden of questions: Isn’t that interesting?
At the end of the day, I still get excited (and yes, concerned) about humanity’s increasing power to change our bodies, our communities, and even our planet. But when I step back and get curious about the natural world, I’m filled with both inspiration and determination. We humans may be experts at causing problems, but we’re also remarkable at solving them—together.
