Many years ago, a mentor told me that I’d always have opportunities. He explained that if a boss wanted something done, they’d want an ‘exotic, hard working woman’ because we were seen to have the right work ethic… I had mixed feelings but I knew he meant it positively. Recently, I came across a concept related to this: the Model Minority Myth. It was coined to described the stereotype of the hard-working American Asian. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being perceived as reliable and...

If you’re the most interesting person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. That’s what my coach would say back in the day. And it occurred to me that this could apply to any quality: If you’re the most caring person in the room… If you’re the most self-aware… You’re in the wrong room. Why? Because you also need care. And you also need to expand your awareness. Etc. It’s like why hairdressers don’t do their own hair: they can’t see the back of their head. In other words, you can’t see your...

Once upon a time at medical school, I was in a James Bond pantomime. The audience would shout “shaken, not stirred!” when Bond said ‘Martini’. More recently, it occurred to me that, unlike Bond, deep resilience isn’t about being cold-blooded during a kill. It’s closer to what mystics describe: being touched but not shaken—present in the world but not lost in it. Research shows that even a few moments of mindfulness or body awareness can strengthen this capacity. It’s not magic but it can feel...