Day 58 of Embracing the Wonders of Life

This week, I fulfilled a long-held wish: visiting Alcatraz. For years, the island was a symbol of mystery and resilience in my mind, thanks to Clint Eastwood and classics like Escape from Alcatraz. Standing there in person, walking through those cold corridors, was surreal. It felt like stepping into a piece of history that shaped my youth.

Yet, the most thought-provoking moment came at the end of the tour. A video explained that Alcatraz was one of the first “super prisons”, designed to deter crime through toughness and isolation. The logic seemed simple: harsher punishment equals less crime. But reality told a different story—crime didn’t decline; it rose. The takeaway? Tougher measures aren’t always the solution.
This struck me as a powerful metaphor for leadership and thought leadership. In times of complexity, the instinct is often to tighten control, impose stricter rules, or double down on old models. But like Alcatraz, rigidity rarely solves systemic challenges. What truly makes a difference is perspective.

Perspective means stepping back, questioning assumptions, and seeing the bigger picture. It’s about asking: What outcome do we really want? and What approach creates lasting impact? For leaders, this isn’t just a skill—it’s a responsibility. In a world flooded with noise and quick fixes, people look to thought leaders not for more walls, but for windows—views that inspire, challenge, and guide.

Alcatraz reminds us that strength isn’t in confinement; it’s in clarity. Whether in business, society, or personal life, progress comes from those who dare to reframe the problem and illuminate new paths forward.
So next time you face a challenge, don’t build a bigger prison. Build a broader perspective.

What’s your “Alcatraz moment”? A time when you realised the obvious solution wasn’t the right one? Share your thoughts below—let’s inspire new perspectives together.