Brain: Kal Patel

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Name three persons you regard as smarter than yourself.
My wife, Lindsey Gandy, and my CEO, Brad Anderson. It all depends on how you define smart. In my view people are smart when they are zoned in and focused on applying their strength to what gives them meaning.

Who today or in history would you call a genius?
There is genius all around us, manifesting itself in surprising ways—like my daughter (seven years old) connecting her feelings about us changing our car with my feelings when my mom died. (Wow, that is smart!) In general, I have a bias for people who are obsessed with problems to solve, have amazing connecting ability, and can generally fail and start again.

Name two books you found unusually enlightening or inspiring.

The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria and, even though I don’t like a lot of leadership books, Organizing Genius by Warren Bennis.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Keep your precious anchor protected (in my case my family).

Did you have a mentor?

Many mentors at different times of my career. Shari Ballard, a colleague at Best Buy, is my current mentor/coach.

Obama or McCain?

McCain. He is way more authentic. I like his maverick streak. I also believe in the value of open global trade. Personal responsibility and accountability for choices we make is high value for me.

What was the biggest mistake you ever made?

I spent too long in consulting—I should have jumped out earlier. I wish I had spent more time with my brother before his death.

What do you do in your free time?

All of it goes to hanging with my kids and wife. My kids are young and expect me to throw my BlackBerry away on weekends—I try my best to do that now.

If you could take a pill that boosted your IQ fifty points, would you take it?

Not really.

Would you rather be street, Book, Business, or people smart?

People smart.

Who is your favorite musician/composer?

Billy Joel.

Over the next ten years, what will have the most profound impact on human life?

Genomics. I think we will discover ways to live longer—up to 100 years. This will impact everything—our guilt (developed vs. emerging), our work, life expectations . . . .

In your experience, does wisdom increase with age?

Wisdom, I think, is a function of how good we are at “mining” our life experiences. I have seen young people with less experience than mine who are so good at it and older people who have lots of experience, but are not good at mining so do not seem wise.

Does intelligence come with special responsibilities?

Life comes with special responsibilities. I think we are happier when we realize that and look to finding what we are responsible for.