Episode 04: Making an Impact, Keeping Joy, and Defining Leadership
OCTOBER 28
In this episode of Duke’s Life of Significance series, host Sanyin Siang interviews Retired Lt. Gen. Nadja West, the first African American female to reach a three-star general rank in our nation's history and the first African American female surgeon general for the U.S. Army. In this interview, Sanyin and Nadja discuss the significance of influencing even just a single life for the better, deep-seeded sources of joy, and how our values can shape our engagement with a situation for the better.
Key Takeaways
1. “Something impactful can require minimal effort,” said Nadja. In reference to a small comment she made to a junior officer years ago, Nadja reflected on the long-term positive impact that comment had on the junior officer’s life. Living a life of significance is often composed of small, singular moments of brief contact with others.
2. Gratitude can inform and shape a positive outlook on life. Though Nadja was an orphan, gratitude for the life her adoptive parents gave her shapes her encounter with every situation for the better.
3. When it comes to balancing work with parenting, quality time—imparting values—is more important than the quantity of time.
““You don’t know who you can inspire. When you talk about a life of significance, you don’t have to do a whole lot. Something impactful can require minimal effort. And then it’s just watching the ripple effect.””