The Philosopher’s Corner

This Month’s Philosopher: Pete Hanna, WG'20  
To learn more about Pete, click here.

 

LIFE LESSONS

If I knew then what I know now, I would have...

  • Possibly obtained my MBA earlier. No doubt the timing of my Executive MBA at Wharton was in line with my leadership track and maturity and was the right one for my health system leadership journey. However, there is always the entrepreneurial side of me that is quite interested in making a positive impact on a large scale which could have benefited from getting my WEMBA 10-15 years earlier, when taking the risk of an entrepreneurial pivot would have been more palatable.
    • That said, I do believe that I am where I belong and could not be happier. Impact comes in different forms and different avenues, but in this fast-paced healthcare evolution that we are in the middle of, it should be a factor in deciding when to enter the MBA track for those who are contemplating it.
  • Dedicated more time to traveling and exploring the world and most specifically, outdoor adventures that force you to disconnect completely from your devices and connect with nature. Having hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was a life-altering experience that made me realize the value of technology detoxification, connecting with nature, and appreciating the simple beauty around us even for a city boy at heart like myself.

If I knew then what I know now, I would NOT have...

  • Hesitated to say no. When you are so driven to make an impact, it is quite easy to overstretch and take on more than you can deliver to completion. Sometimes you have to prioritize, delegate, or simply say no if you want to deliver meaningful change.
  • Been hindered by the perception of simplicity. Great transformational innovations were often simple ideas that were taken on by their founders without worrying that someone surely has already thought about them or whether they were too simple or too obvious. Courage is the engine of innovation, and if you have a good idea, pursue it, and don’t give in to doubt or worries about simplicity.


FAVORITE QUOTES

  1. “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” ~ Steve Jobs
  2. “Be as you wish to seem.” ~ Socrates
  3. “I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.” ~ Maya Angelou
  4. “Learning to stand in somebody else’s shoes, to see through their eyes, that’s how peace begins. And it’s up to you to make that happen. Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world.” ~ President Barack Obama
  5. “The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.” ~ William Arthur Ward

RECOMMENDED READING 

  1. Compassionomics by Stephen Trzeciak
  2. The Key to Inclusion by Stephen Frost
  3. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  4. Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott


Contact Pete at: [email protected]