If you need to tackle an improbable challenge, the right mindset — "a special kind of optimism" — can help, according to Moderna co-founder and chairman Noubar Afeyan.
Specifically, Afeyan — who has an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes — said that "extraordinary change agents" take three actions to achieve what seems impossible:They imagine.
Imagination plays a crucial role "in accomplishing impossible missions," Afeyan said: You typically need to think creatively to come up with new, original ideas.
But ask yourself one central question: Why do we expect extraordinary results from reasonable people doing reasonable things?"
"You need to leave your comfort zone, to think in new ways, to acclimate to the unfamiliar and embrace uncertainty."
Persons:
Noubar Afeyan, he's, Afeyan —, Forbes —, Afeyan, Allison Butler, Butler
Organizations:
Moderna, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Sloan School of Management, Bryant University, CNBC
Locations:
Lebanon, Canada, Massachusetts, Cambodia, California, Cambridge, acclimate