Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast
Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast: where culture, communication, and context meet at work. Discover what cultural influences have formed the careers of noteworthy leaders in a variety of professions, by exploring the groups that shaped who they are today. Learn about the collective context and experiences that affect their worldview, leadership style, workplace communication and behaviour.
Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast
Harold Kurlander – Finding the Balance
Bio for Harold Kurlander
Hal Kurlander has a B.A. in psychology and an M.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine. After 35 years of clinical neurology, he is now semi-retired and works in the area of facial aesthetics (Botox and dermal fillers).
Episode highlight
Hal Kurlander went from being a shy child to an outspoken university rebel to a neurologist to a facial aesthetician. Tune into this podcast to learn about his illustrious journey.
Links
Email: hmkdoc@gmail.com
Website: www.kumimedspa.com
Other social media: @kumimedspa
Quotes
“I’m sure that much of my personality was shaped by the values of my local community.”
“Living with so many different extremes… such radical views, such conservative views… you end up coming to the middle.”
“You have to make adaptations constantly in order to survive in a marriage and for the marriage to survive.”
Takeaways
Childhood incidents:
Hal grew up in a half Jewish and half Italian-Catholic community where he learned how to be himself with the people “on their territory and their terms.” His interactions with other children at summer camp helped him climb out of his shell and overcome his fear of standing out.
Groups you were born into and belonged to:
Hal was most influenced by his immediate family, and has emulated his parents’ work ethic and parenting style. In college, he was exposed to rebellion as well as conformity, and he became less polarizing as he grew older, which became essential to his job as a physician to earn his patient’s trust.
Temperament and personality influences
As a child, Hal was very outgoing. When he first started making contact with people who disagreed with him, his response was to back away because he wanted to avoid conflict. Now, he considers himself easy-going and patient.
A time I became aware that my way of doing things was cultural and specific to my cultural experience
Hal has experienced significant changes each time he has moved. People think and behave differently everywhere, from Long Island to Pennsylvania to Texas.
Advice to an employer to work with me
Hal says that open communication is the best way to work with him.
More great insights from our guest!
Hal has been moulded by all his experiences with people, especially the thousands of patients he has helped. His advice to any employee would be to listen to everyone’s ideas and to practise their communication skills.
