Brain: Lawrence Perlman

Einstein because he could visualize incredibly complex ideas, integrate his and other’s work into innovative problem-solving, learn from his mistakes, and keep thinking. Thomas Jefferson because he learned much from history, could think conceptually, and combine it all into a vision for America’s future. Salman Rushdie, because he can weave cultures, history, and imagination into a complex tapestry in books such as Midnight’s Children and The Enchantress of Florence.

Show up, listen carefully, tell the truth, and know yourself well enough to accept the consequences of telling the truth.

A number of people have had a positive influence on me, including my father, Judge Earl Larson, Tom Holloran, Lucile Pinkham, and Ralph Fjelstad.

Moving too quickly and putting the wrong people in key jobs and then moving too slowly to remedy the mistake.

I write (a memoir and novels), argue with my friends over public policy and politics, hang out with my wife and grandchildren, fly fish, ride my horse on pack trips into the Wyoming mountains, play golf, read, work primarily on arts boards in Minneapolis and Jackson Hole, and involve myself in efforts to assist economically disadvantaged high school students go to college.

These questions are ultimately questions of how one makes difficult decisions. In my case, I first try to consult my inner moral compass. That compass matured as I grew older and is made up of the values, concept of right and wrong, of courage and standards of conduct that I have internalized. I then ask what would my father have done and would he be proud of my conduct. Then I need to test my decision against my street sense. Is my action smart, is it good judgment, are there more effective ways to achieve the desired objective, what will the impact of my decision be on my family and the broader community? Ultimately, I must ask, Am I doing the right things?