While volunteering at a science summer camp, I taught middle school kids about the fascinating world of oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone" for its role in emotional connection, trust, and empathy. The kids, snickering behind their desks, asked each other, “do you have oxytocin?” Then, they turned toward me. “Do you have oxytocin?”
I nodded, thinking, if only they knew.
My mom has always called me an “overly sensitive soul” and my teachers have called me “compassionate” since elementary school. However, compassion, emotional sensitivity, and the “mushy stuff” is seen as a flaw, especially among the powerful leaders we hear about from the media. Feelings are often seen as a nuisance of the human condition, an inconvenience not worth the energy. Take Gregory House of House, M.D. as an example: his leadership style centers around relentless execution over all else. Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and many other leaders also famously applied this approach to leadership.
Last year, I served as President of our Model UN club and represented the World Health Organization as a delegate. It felt overwhelming to lead the club of twenty-five. While directing the first club meeting, I imitated the image of the leader I'd seen in the media, focusing on reiterating facts and moving through the agenda quickly. Efficiency came first, right? However, I could hear it in my own voice—every word sounded unauthentic. My friends asked, “why'd you act so different in MUN?” In my personal life, I understood the importance of listening to diverse perspectives and building real connections. Why couldn't I apply this approach to leadership as well?
A pivotal moment came at a regional conference when we tackled a resolution on the global response to pandemics. By listening to nations affected differently by health crises and empathizing with the struggles of each nation, I drafted a resolution that balanced varied economic impacts, healthcare capabilities, and cultural values. This resolution not only passed with overwhelming support but also earned me the "Best Delegate" award. After the conference, I revisited the image of a leader that I had tried to imitate and finally questioned whether it was the type of leader I wanted to become. The world we live in is often one of get-it-done-no-matter-the-cost, and this ruthless efficiency has its costs—take, for example, environmental destruction like the Deepwater Horizon spill or the global fallout from fake news. Sidelining our humanity in favor of progress has created a pattern where the emotional and cultural health of our nation is often sacrificed at the altar of success. I vowed to lean into my compassion and my empathy, instead of shying away from it.
Recently, I read an article following a Palestinian child who had lost his whole family due to the war in Gaza. I brought this up to the MUN club, and we decided to raise awareness of the terrible impacts of war today. We collaborated with our administrators to hold a moment of silence during a school assembly to honor the victims of the Gaza conflict. During the assembly, I gave a short speech highlighting the humanitarian issues faced by Palestinian families. Afterwards, my principal told me, “You show others how to lead with your heart.”
Today, I can see oxytocin playing a key part in my future, in more than one way. As a future biomedical engineer, my goal is to develop innovations that not only advance medical science but also prioritize patient welfare, education, and consent. I'd like to shift from seeing technology solely as tools for efficiency, to seeing them as instruments of care and empathy. By embracing the “mushy stuff,” I believe we can build a better healthcare system and advance medicine with both compassion and intent.