Inspired by the lecture of Jules Goddard, London Business School.

What does it mean to know yourself, and why does it matter in our daily lives? Long ago, thinkers like Socrates and Aristotle asked these questions, reminding us that who we become depends on the choices we make each day.

When a moment calls for courage, do we stand firm or step back? When someone needs kindness, do we offer a hand or walk away? By asking ourselves these simple questions—“Am I being honest? Am I being brave? Am I showing respect?”

—we learn to build habits that shape us into better people. And if we wonder where to find guidance, why not look to those who faced hardship yet still achieved great things? By watching and imitating real heroes—people who started with little and still made a difference—we find clear examples to follow (Exemplars, in Ancient Greek philosophy).

Is our workplace a place where rules and paperwork crush creativity, or can it be something more? In many companies today, strict procedures and endless reports make people feel like cogs in a machine. But consider Max Perutz, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose lab operated on trust and respect. Why did he spend most of his time working shoulder-to-shoulder with his team instead of hiding in an ivory tower? Why did he insist that everyone—junior technician or senior researcher—deserved the same respect? By asking these questions, we see a simple truth: when people are trusted, supported, and treated with kindness, new ideas flourish naturally. So ask yourself and your organization: “Are we giving people freedom to be creative? Are we cutting down on needless rules? Are we treating everyone with respect?”

If the answer is no, then perhaps it’s time to change course, just as Perutz did, and let people shine.