Be flexible and get along with other people

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin

Cynthia Dirkx, radiology, shared this Darwin quote with me and told me that it helped her to successfully navigate her department’s transition to teleradiology and other technology-based tools years ago. The quote echoes the advice given at my son’s college graduation ceremony in 2012. The speaker was Jorge Garcia, who earned his degree in communication studies from UCLA in 1995. Wikipedia describes Garcia as “An American actor and comedian best known for his portrayal of Hugo "Hurley" Reyes in the television series Lost from 2004 to 2010. Garcia also studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse acting school and spent six years working at Borders Books and Music while auditioning. He was in a few commercials during that time. He later said that his first taste of street recognition came from starring in a Jack in the Box commercial which was aired frequently on local television. He began landing roles in television and film, but his career really took off when he played the role of Hugo Reyes (Hurley) in the television series Lost. Garcia was the first actor to be cast on Lost after the producers saw him on Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm the night before casting began, and created the character of Hugo Reyes specifically for him.” Now back to the memorable graduation advice. Based on his personal path to success, Garcia encouraged the new graduates to “Be flexible, and learn how to get along with other people.” Flexible because rigid doesn’t work in a constantly changing world. Flexible because it lets you bounce back from disappointment and liberates you to discover new and often better ways to get things done. If you need a Claymation role model for this, think Gumby. What does it look like to get along with other people? Think of the team players and servant leaders you know. These are the people we all like to be around. They think more about others than themselves. They listen deeply. And during pandemic times, they are the people who keep us inspired and make good things happen amid chaos and uncertainty. #gumby #hurley