Whether it’s a bus ride to rural Rwanda, a short walk across campus, over drinks or just sitting at home, I am always asking questions that help me gain a better understanding of the people I am with. I was born with a curiosity that flourished during my upbringing as an only child, because, I was surrounded by adults who always had a story to tell. Though it varied over the years, the primary focus of my curiosity has always been the psychology of action. While I haven't had the language in the past to explain this, I have spent my life asking questions to better understand the experiences and morals that drive people’s actions.
This more in-depth understanding of the people we interact with, I believe, is something we have lost as a society. We don’t feel like we need to take the time to know those in our classes, who take our order or bag our groceries. Either we are in a rush, we just don’t care or are only not used to it anymore because so many of our interactions have become automated or digitalized. We forget to treat people outside of our small spheres as humans, and that is having a significant impact on our lives. In Rwandan culture, business will not be done until people develop a basic level of trust with one another that begins with a short conversation about who you are and why are you here. Though it seems like a simple practice, a simple conversation has the power to break down barriers and will lead to smoother interactions because we will start to treat each other like humans again.
Though I am still uncertain where exactly I want my future to take me, I believe I have a better idea of what direction I want it to go in. I have always wanted to help others achieve the most good they can for the world. At one point I thought I would accomplish this goal through film and another by starting a company. While the latter is still on the list, I think the greatest good that I could contribute would be connecting amazingly talented people together to form startups and assisting them along the way to achieve the highest possible outcome for the company and the customers. I enjoy surrounding myself with incredible individuals, often those who others ignore because it is that genius covered up by awkwardness that is going to help us find the solutions to the most significant problems of tomorrow. I can help these people to better communicate their ideas to the world and use my network to connect them to the people who are necessary to get the job done. Overall, together we can change the world, I just want to help us have the conversations required to get started.
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