Part 16 of 19 in How to Coach Your Child: A Handbook for Indian Parents← Part 15Part 17 →
As I stood in my kitchen this morning, sipping my first cup of chai, I was struck by how the small, everyday scripts we run through our lives often go unnoticed. Yet, these scripts—those lines we repeat to ourselves and our children—are the quiet architects of our days. This isn’t a revelation, but rather a recognition of the familiar fabric that weaves through both my practice as an IVF specialist and my ventures as an angel investor.
Every morning, I find myself navigating the familiar terrain of homework and tuition with my children. It’s a dance of questions and encouragement, sometimes bordering on exasperation. Yet, I’ve realized that the words I choose to use—be it with my children, my patients, or the founders I mentor—carry weight. They shape perceptions and outcomes more than we might admit.
Take a moment to think about how you handle conflicts at home or at work. I’ve seen how my approach to conflict resolution in the clinic often mirrors the way I handle disputes in board meetings. In both arenas, it’s about finding that delicate balance between empathy and firm decision-making. Medicine taught me to listen deeply, to read between the lines of what a patient says and what their body reveals. Similarly, investing has taught me that there’s often more to a founder’s pitch than the polished slides.
One of the most striking parallels I’ve found between medicine and investing is the role of money and desire. In both fields, the want for financial success can overshadow the core mission. I’ve seen it in patients desperate for a child, sometimes willing to chase dubious treatments, and in founders who lose sight of their product’s value in pursuit of the next funding round. It’s a reminder that we must regularly recalibrate our internal compasses, ensuring our actions align with our true goals.
Recently, I backed a startup that reminded me of the importance of genuine communication. The founder spoke candidly, unafraid to share his failures alongside his successes. It was refreshing and, frankly, rare. This transparency is something I strive to emulate in my own practice. Whether it’s explaining the harsh realities of IVF success rates or the financial risks of a startup, honesty is non-negotiable. I often tell my patients and the founders I mentor that acknowledging uncertainty is not a weakness—it’s a strength. It builds trust and sets the stage for realistic expectations.
Education is another arena where I’ve seen scripts play out in telling ways. The rigid structure of the Indian school system often stifles curiosity, something I’ve written about at length in Is the Indian School System Failing Our Kids’ Curiosity?. We need to reimagine how we engage with students, much like how we need to rethink our interactions in other aspects of life. Instead of announcing grand educational philosophies, perhaps we should focus on creating consistent, adaptable learning environments where curiosity can thrive. A child—or a startup, for that matter—can flourish in a consistent, nurturing environment more readily than in a rigid system of declared expectations.
In my experience, the art of practice, whether in medicine, investing, or education, lies in the ability to adapt without losing authenticity. It’s about finding your voice in the cacophony of borrowed scripts and sticking to it, even when you falter. I often remind myself, and those around me, that it’s okay to slip into old habits. The key is to recognize the slip, name it, and then return to your chosen path with renewed clarity.
As I reflect on these musings, I am reminded of the importance of talking about the hard truths, both in life and in business. In a previous piece, The Hard Truths I Tell My IVF Patients—and Why Founders Need Them Too, I explored this topic further. We need to create spaces where difficult conversations are not only possible but encouraged. It’s in these spaces that true growth happens.
In conclusion, the scripts we carry with us are more than just words; they are the frameworks that guide our actions and decisions. Whether you’re a parent, a practitioner, or a founder, the scripts you choose to follow—or rewrite—can profoundly impact your journey. As we move through our weeks, let’s be mindful of the narratives we craft and the lives they shape.