When Temple Grandin noticed cattle pushing back in the chute, she saw what others missed: they weren’t being stubborn—they were scared. That insight reshaped the livestock industry and offers a profound lesson for leaders, parents, and humans everywhere: most “difficult behavior” is fear in disguise. In this piece, I unpack how her perspective helps us shift from judgment to understanding and lead above the line where calm, clarity, and compassion can actually change lives.

What two very different health professionals taught me about leadership, ego, and the power of perspective. Real leadership starts when we go beyond first impressions.