How Following Curiosity Made Me a Better Business Partner

With the Author of Graphene, Joseph Meaney

When I was a freshman History major at Endicott College, I reluctantly signed up for my only required science elective. It was part of a learning community (3 courses bound by a common theme) on the Ethics of Scientific Developments. There was a Science 101 type course, an ethics course and a bridge course where we discussed the mesh points between the two.

It was during this time that I learned about the natural curiosity of Richard Feynman and Moore’s Law regarding the doubling of components on circuit boards each year due to innovation. I also read about a material called Graphene. I would go on to explain this material obsessively to family, friends, coworkers and anyone else who would listen because I had such a powerful intuition that it would be a large part of the next industrial revolution! I always likened it’s arrival in the marketplace to the scene in “It’s A Wonderful Life”, when Jimmy Stewart’s character is offered a chance to get in on the plastics business at the ground floor in the 1940s.

Since that class in 2012, I have learned so much by following my natural curiosity. I’ve attempted starting local interest groups, spoken with business leaders on LinkedIn and the phone from all over the world about it.

Last year, it even took me to Nashville, TN where I attended the National Graphene Association’s Conference on Commercialization in 2017 and I found myself having dinner with Joseph Meany, co-author of the book “Graphene: the Superstrong, Superthin, and Superversatile Material That Will Revolutionize the World” (with a signed copy)! I’ve since moved to the city and find myself at the Wond’ry Innovation Center at Vanderbilt often as it’s incredible to see graphene being made before your eyes.

Although I am not a material scientist now, nor am I the founder of a game changing material science company, I can confidently say I’ve gained more real-world knowledge around the innovation process, why companies are interested in commercializing new concepts and who some of the early players are. Hearing that companies like Ford are releasing graphene enhanced vehicles, Airbus prototyping aircraft parts or seeing graphene Callaway golf balls at the sporting goods store brings a smile to my face.

I currently help business and technology leaders innovate their strategies and business operations to be able to win, serve and retain today’s complex customer and this experience has given me a look behind the curtains for my own customer’s problems and made me a better business partner.

Most importantly, throughout my career, I will not be afraid to follow my curiosity and chase exciting ideas no matter how intangible they may seem at the time.