When facing a crisis or tough circumstances, it’s easy to feel powerless—like the world is moving on without you. But I’ve learned that small, deliberate actions today can plant seeds for a brighter future tomorrow. Those lessons came from timeless thinkers who showed me the value of questioning the status quo and reaching out, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Socrates taught me to challenge assumptions through dialogue, while Viktor Frankl emphasized finding meaning by engaging with others amid hardship. Their examples reminded me that we don’t have to wait for opportunities; we can create them by thinking strategically, like a CEO steering toward long-term success.
In writings about the CEO mindset, I’ve always highlighted what these influences taught:
- Define the success you want to achieve,
- Set clear goals to make it possible,
- Develop tools, tactics, and resources to move forward,
- Measure progress every day,
- Adjust based on what you learn, and
- Execute consistently, no matter the obstacles.
Let me share another story from my journey that shows strategies and tactics in action. I offer these stories as examples of how applying others’ wisdom can turn isolation into connection and influence.
By the mid-1990s, I’d been in prison for nearly a decade. As a recap, I began in solitary confinement, where I served a year while going through the judicial process. Then I transferred to USP Atlanta, where I remained for six or seven years. Then, I transferred to FCI McKean in Pennsylvania—a place with more focus on education and rehabilitation, thanks to Warden Dennis Luther’s progressive approach.
At that time, the national conversation on crime was harsh. Before I transferred to McKean, I read an article by John DiIulio, a professor at Princeton, titled “Let ’em Rot” in The Wall Street Journal. It argued for letting prisoners languish without programs, aligning with the era’s “superpredator” fears and calls for tougher policies. As someone living the reality, I saw flaws in that view—prisons could foster growth if incentives existed, but blanket punishment ignored potential for change.
Inspired by Socrates’ method of engaging critics to uncover truth, I wrote DiIulio an unsolicited letter, respectfully questioning his assumptions with examples from my experiences: data on recidivism drops through education, stories of inmates turning lives around, and ideas for merit-based reforms. I didn’t expect a reply—it was a calculated risk, with the opportunity cost of time spent writing versus staying silent and missing a chance to influence.
To my surprise, he wrote back. That validation reinforced the strategy: Sending thoughtful letters to experts could open dialogues. Our correspondence grew; he sent books, including his own on criminal justice, and invited me to exchange ideas as peers. We learned from each other—he gained firsthand insights into prison life, while I deepened my understanding of policy debates.
The real breakthrough came when DiIulio orchestrated a visit. He brought a group of Princeton students to McKean, coordinating with Warden Luther to make it happen. Together, the warden and I led a seminar for them, discussing the complications of incarceration: the cycle of violence in high-security settings, the need for programs that reward positive behavior, and practical steps society could take for safer communities. It wasn’t just teaching; it was mutual education, showing how prisons could be places of preparation rather than pure punishment.
Some might say I was lucky to connect with an influential Princeton Professor. I didn’t see it that way.
Rather than luck, I defined success very early on my journey. Then, I put a strategy in place, and tactics that would advance the strategy. Early decisions led to more knowledge and networks and credibility. I could leverage them at the right moment to advance the plan. One letter, rooted in critical engagement, created ripples: New relationships, fresh perspectives, and a platform to advocate for change.
This story applies far beyond prison walls. It’s a reminder that proactive outreach today can shape a brighter future, but it requires weighing opportunity costs: The effort of writing that email or making that call versus the regret of inaction. By modeling the strategic thinking of these influences, you can turn potential isolation into meaningful connections.
To bring this into your own life, try these self-directed exercises in your journal or during reflection time:
- Define Your Outreach Goal: Think of a challenge you’re facing (e.g., career stagnation, community issues, or personal growth). Who is an expert or influencer whose views you could engage? Draw from Socrates: Question what assumptions they’re making and how your perspective might add value.
- Map the Steps and Costs: Inspired by Frankl, outline success 6 months or a year from now. What small action today—like drafting a letter or email—aligns with that? Calculate the costs: Time invested versus opportunities missed if you don’t act. For instance, if building a mentor network is key, identify one person to contact this week.
- Build Tactics for Leverage: Like gathering resources in the story, list what you already have (skills, experiences, or contacts) to make your outreach compelling. How can you use them? Reflect: What books or articles could you reference to start a dialogue?
- Execute and Review: Send that message, then assess after a week: What response did you get? What adjustments are needed? Remember, these thinkers built impact through persistent, thoughtful engagement—not overnight wins.
At Prison Professors, we encourage this empowering approach: Regardless of your current struggles, decisions today can unlock doors tomorrow. Consider each of the daily blogs we publish as a free lesson. It should prompt you to build your profile on PrisonProfessorsTalent.com. By working to memorialize all the steps that you’re taking to prepare for success, you will open more opportunities, just as I did.
What step will you take today?
Don’t only talk about your success. Memorialize your success by building a robust profile that helps you build more support, and get the result you want.
