I’ve had the privilege of starting, leading and growing several different clinical and research service organizations. Success in these roles hinge on a few attributes. Below are a few thoughts, along with some of my favorite quotes, that outline these attributes and some of my personal convictions. Service – ‘It’s not about me’ is the truism that guides my daily steps. We are put on this planet to serve others. Determination – ‘Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.’ - Dan Gable. Responsibility – ‘Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame ‘is a quote found in Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s book ‘Extreme Ownership’. It’s a good read and sums up true responsibility. Check it out. Creativity – ‘Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat’, is a Latin proverb that translates to ‘Fortune Favors the Bold’. Tackle difficult unsolved problems, and don’t be afraid of failure along the way. Do hard things! Partnerships – ‘It takes two flints to make a fire’ - Louisa May Alcott.  Integrity – ‘Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right, decide on what you think is right and stick to it.’ And ‘Integrity means that you are the same in public as you are in private’ - G. Eliot and J. Meyer, respectively. Relationship – ‘Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.’ - Mother Theresa. Irrespective of our chosen professions, we are all in the relationship and people building business. Have Fun – ‘Do anything but let it produce joy’ is sound advice from Walt Whitman. The most important role I’ve ever had is that of ‘Dad’. Outside of work, I am a dad to three young men. I coached them in wrestling (Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco – Yes, there’s a difference) during their middle school and high school careers. More than a decade of traveling the county between tournaments has allowed me to learn a lot about my sons, and myself.If you want to discuss professional endeavors, raising young men or even commiserate over a sneaky arm-spin that beat your kid at the whistle, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect.Contact:tkhodge1@gmail.com901-834-0254