A New Series: Father and Son
Stanley Feld M.D.,FACP,MACE
Brad mentioned in his blog, that we have weekly discussions on Skype.
This past week Brad came up with a brilliant idea. He understands my passion about a lot of things. He feels I have taught him a lot. He wants to explore my influence on him in public view. This would enable our readers to learn something about the way we recognize patterns and approach problem solving.
These traits are not genetic. They are acquired. He was interested in discussing how I influenced his development. I thought it would be fun.
He proposed that we write a series of blogs each describing our view. We would post each other’s entry on our own site. We would try to describe the origin of those influences.
He also proposed that we discuss our view of my influence from the vantage point of him as 9-12 year old. He figured that would be his most impressionable age. I would look at it from the point of view of me being a 38 year old clinical endocrinologist building an endocrine practice, adding partners, and raising two boys with Cecelia.
He has always been enchanted by my ability to say things such as “if you are not on the edge you are taking up too much space.”
Brad is a creative leader in information technology venture capital. It should be obvious to everyone that I am very proud of him. He has had much press lately. He has a monthly column in Entrepreneur Magazine , has recently been quoted in the New York Times, and has given an extensive interview about venture capitalism in Boulder Colorado to the “Fast Company.”
Brad stimulated my curiosity with this request. I would like to understand his view of my impact on him. I thought we could have some fun with our impressions of our influence on each other.
The teacher usually learns more than the student. My view is I have learned more from him than he has learned from me.
This will give us both the opportunity, in public view, to discover the influence we have had on each other.
I hope readers have as much fun with this experiment as I believe I will.
Shane Taylor • January 15, 2010
As an owner of a healthcare technology startup here in Boulder (and extremely passionate about VC, technology, and healthcare – and where they intersect), I have become a reader of both your blogs. I am also a father with much interest in being the best I can be at that. I am very much interested in this discussion because Brad is an amazing leader in the community and has taught many people like me an enormous amount – and I am extremely humbled and grateful. I would love to have some insight about the dynamics between the two of you the from one of the most influential people that has taught him.