Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframe for Resilience, host Dr. Frank L. Douglas talks with Mousa Hamad, Vice President of Operations at Howard Financials. Mousa shares his journey from a college dropout to a corporate leader, emphasizing the importance of resilience, curiosity, and servant leadership. He reflects on how overcoming challenges, including dealing with PTSD, has shaped his leadership style and helped him develop empathy for others. Their conversation explores how personal values and empathy can foster inclusive, resilient workplace cultures.

Key Topics Include

• Dropping out of college and redefining success
• “Fake it” moment → first IT role without formal training
• Cultivating curiosity & problem‑solving (“Google is your best friend”)
• Servant‑leadership mindset: humility, empathy, customer focus
• Complex PTSD, childhood in the West Bank, and turning trauma into a super‑power
• Emotional intelligence in negotiation and people management
• Anti‑fragility vs. resilience (Taleb’s concept; Black Swan reference)
• Lessons for emerging leaders: be more curious than certain

[00:00] - Mousa recalls dropping out of college, waiting tables, then accepting an IT role despite “knowing nothing about computers.” 

[01:30] - Father‑in‑law’s challenge: “Fake it.” Mousa reframes the limitation of “no degree” into an opportunity to learn. 

[02:30] - Discovering his talent for problem‑solving, Google‑driven learning, and a servant mindset from retail/restaurant work. 

[03:30] - Realization: tech was a hidden passion nurtured since childhood (“If it has a plug and it’s broken, Mousa can fix it”). 

[04:30] - What he wishes he’d known earlier: embrace curiosity over certainty; empathy makes a far better leader. 

[05:40] - Diagnosed with Complex PTSD rooted in childhood on the West Bank; therapy & meditation unlock emotional intelligence. 

[07:20] - How hyper‑vigilance became a “super‑power” for contract negotiation and coaching stressed employees. 

[08:30] - Core leadership principle: anti‑fragility – absorb the blow and come back stronger. 

[10:40] - Practical tip: tell your own life story as if it’s someone else’s—you’ll see your hidden resilience. 

[11:30] - Dr. Douglas & Mousa reflect on servant leadership, Black‑Swan events, and reframing adversity into strength. 

Links & Resources:

● Learn more about Safe Haven Dialogues: Safe Haven Dialogues

Closing Remarks:

Dr. Douglas and Mousa Hamad close with a reminder that true resilience isn’t just “bouncing back” but transforming challenges into new capabilities. Whether you’re fixing a broken laptop, negotiating a deal, or leading a team through uncertainty, stay curious, serve others, and let every setback make you a little more anti‑fragile.