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Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Practice Perfect Editor
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Podiatric Medicine
Surgery & Biomechanics
College of Podiatric Medicine
Western University of
Health Sciences
St. Pomona, CA |
I'm a pretty intense person. If you ask those who know me well, they'll tell you this is an understatement. I come from an intense family. The first time my wife had dinner with my immediate family, she was overwhelmed by the loudness and emotional quality of the conversations around the table. She was surprised by family members yelling at each other one minute and loving on each other the next. She must have felt a lot like Ian from the movie A Big Fat Greek Wedding. Of course, since my wife is an intense person herself, she quickly got used to and embraced the craziness of my family.
 In staff meetings, I tend to be one of the "talkers." My typical weekly situation is under water with more responsibilities and tasks than I have time for. My work week usually runs somewhere between 60 and 70 hours per week (by choice). I have a residency to run, clinic, surgery, multiple committees, and several other responsibilities, not to mention my family. My students would also tell you this is true. I'm clearly NOT one of their "laid back" teachers.
I describe my intensity to make a point: intensity is an important character trait that should be fostered rather than dissuaded. There are too many trite sayings about calmness in the world. "Take it easy," someone might say when departing the company of another. "Cool it," we'll say when someone appears angry. Granted there's a time to "calm down," but more often we should be intense.
When I use the word intense, I define it not as being stressed out, frustrated, angry, rude, or violent. Instead, I would define it as "great energy, strength, concentration, or vehemence". Think about that definition for a moment as it applies to the most important things of your life. When you met your life partner, did you think, "This person's OK, I guess. Maybe I'll spend the rest of my life with her?" When you consider your favorite vacation, was it quiet? Did you visit the most nondescript, boring place you could think of? Did you spend all day in the hotel room watching TV?
The answer, I'll bet, is a resounding no. Falling in love is an act of intensity (if it weren't, we wouldn't call it "falling," an intense act in itself), as is having fun. If this is the case, then why be laid back about other things in life? Why not be intense about work and passionate about family? Why not be vehement in your opinions?
When I speak with people who are excessively relaxed, I get bored. I don't want to hear the opinion of someone who could go one way or the other. That's not an opinion. I want to hear a passionately argued debate with actual opinions, backed by strong arguments. I want to speak to people who love life and live passionately. Sitting on the fence is a cop out.
 I don't want to hear about someone being a little peeved. I want to hear that they're pissed off.
Passion moves people. Intensity gets the job done.
When I look for a leader to stand behind, I want to see their intensity and passion. Colin Powell said, "If a leader doesn't convey passion and intensity, then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they'll start to fall down and get depressed." I've seen this very thing occur in situations of failed leadership.
Great things happen when passionate people move the world.
Be one of those people. Be passionate. Move the world. Come argue with me.
Best wishes.
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]
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