> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://makoism.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Path - URL: https://makoism.com/the-path/ - Published: 2021-04-17T12:36:13.000Z - Updated: 2021-04-17T12:36:13.000Z - Description: "There is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path." -Morpheus, The Matrix - Author: Steve Makofsky - Tags: makoism, #newsletter-makoism, #substack ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/61/8f/618f2076-e6a0-40dc-8037-06080661dee7/content/images/public/images/bb9b466b-398c-4ce7-8f5c-0c6869d574a4_2000x1334.jpeg) the path An area that I spend a lot of time researching, learning, modeling are leadership skills that the best leaders exhibit on a day to day basis, different forms of leadership and stoic philosophy. I know it's a weird combination, but there's a ton in stoicism that has helped my mental models. I really liked this talk [Simon Sinek](https://simonsinek.com/) called "**There's NO Such Thing as 'Soft Skills'**". For him, "**Human Skills**" are what makes the best leaders, and companies desperately **lack** good ways to to train leaders. In this short video, he goes into trust, how it plays into performance and trustworthiness, and how organizations **accidentally promote toxic team members which creates toxic leaders**. Something I’m sure many have seen time and again. > *"Ask anyone on a team, 'who the asshole is' and it'll be easy to spot the toxic person — everyone is going to point the same person. Equally, it's easy to identify who on a team you can *trust* by simply asking 'who is trustworthy'"* If you're interested in my daily ramblings, follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smakofsky) or [my posts on this blog](https://makoism.com/). ## **Forward Thinking** A conversation earlier in the week prompted me to rewatch this classic [TED talk](https://www.ted.com/talks/james%5Fveitch%5Fthis%5Fis%5Fwhat%5Fhappens%5Fwhen%5Fyou%5Freply%5Fto%5Fspam%5Femail) from [James Veitch](https://veitch.me/). In it, he recounts he many interactions with email spammers and what happens when you actually start replying to them. You really should watch it. ## **Latest obsession** I've been feeding an obsession over the last year with various types of loose-leaf teas (many from [Steven Smith Teamaker](https://www.smithtea.com/)), and of course, had to research the **best** tea infuser. Every article I researched pointed to the [Finum Reusable Stainless Steel Coffee and Tea Infusing Mesh](https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Stainless-Coffee-Infusing-Brewing/dp/B000J3JFJU). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/61/8f/618f2076-e6a0-40dc-8037-06080661dee7/content/images/public/images/d1568f89-8eef-4a90-be01-10058d38e808_600x705.png) infuser For the last several months at least 3-4 times a day, I use it to brew the most incredible blends. I know, I'm a total dork. But for $10 it's a **no-brainer**. ## **This weeks "Deep Links"** Here's a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week: - You may not know the name Zoe Roth. But you've **have seen** her photo on millions of photos across the internet as 'disaster girl' thanks to a picture her dad took of her when she was five. Read all about her story in "**‘Disaster Girl’ of meme fame walks among us in North Carolina.**" - [More](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article250391541.html) - "**The Titanic Wreck Is a Landmark Almost No One Can See**"; well - apparently you can for $36,000\. An interesting article on the implications (biological and ethical) of visiting the doomed ship - [More](http://atlasobscura.com/articles/can-you-visit-the-titanic-wreck) - Engineering work can look like magic to others; but in "**Embrace the Grind**", the author explores how the history of magic tricks can teach you the real secret. "*Being willing to do something so terrifically tedious*" works in tech too - [More](https://jacobian.org/2021/apr/7/embrace-the-grind/) - I've been enjoying working my way through the **amazing** content that [Craig Mod](https://craigmod.com/) has shared. "**Walk as Spreadsheet**" explores his usage of spreadsheets to "map" his long walks - a row is usually a day of walking, date, town numbers. Columns are for cost of inns, notes, addresses, etc. His philosophy is that "*when a walk is a spreadsheet it’s a pulsing thing of potential, extremely abstract though the days are hard-bound by the cells of finance software*" - [More](https://craigmod.com/ridgeline/115/) - When I had my peak interest in triathlon, [Chrissie Wellington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrissie%5FWellington) had exploded on the Ironman stage. I'll never forget [her insane comeback](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtslGL9Qat8) in 2008 from a flat in Kona to win; so I really enjoyed reading "**Chrissie Wellington on... Mental strength**" - [More](https://www.220triathlon.com/training/long-distance/chrissie-wellington-on-mental-strength/) - [Let's do the time warp again](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w0WPkB3XJ4)! a fun look at "**'Rocky Horror Picture Show' is back after playing to an empty theater for 54 weeks**". Yes, they kept it running in a theater when no one could watch it - [More](https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2021/04/rocky-horror-played-to-an-empty-theater-for-54-weeks-now-audiences-return-to-portlands-longest-running-movie.html) - "**I’m Not an Asshole. I’m an Introvert**" looks at different ways you can use being an "introvert" as an excuse for being rude - [More](https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/im-not-an-asshole-im-an-introvert) - "**These are the worst trips in the world**" looks at 13 books that document real-life travel stories gone wrong - [More](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/these-books-are-all-about-the-worst-trips-in-the-world) - I've always warned my kids that putting something out on the Internet was like putting it on a bathroom wall - it's there forever. "**I Called Off My Wedding. The Internet Will Never Forget**" explores this new era where crawlers, ad targeting, AI, won't let you forget **anything** you post - [More](https://www.wired.com/story/weddings-social-media-apps-photos-memories-miscarriage-problem/) - Seneca said that '*time is invisible so it's easy to spend*', and "**The Shortness of Time**" explores four ways in which we misunderstand and abuse "time" - [More](https://fs.blog/2017/03/seneca-on-the-shortness-of-time/) ## **Fin** Wrapping up with a video from [Thomas Wilson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001855/), best known as Biff from [Back to the Future](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763) as he celebrates his 62nd birthday with a song regards to the frustrations on being asked the same questions by fans, **over** and **over** and **over** again. > [](https://twitter.com/right%5Fmovies/status/1382725414510948359)