Rudolph Poolman reflects on his transition from orthopedic leadership into a broader dean role, describing how curiosity and comfort with imperfection shape his approach. He applies evidence-based principles to management, advocating for hypothesis-driven decision-making and hybrid effectiveness–implementation trials to enhance real-world impact. Drawing on stoic philosophy, journaling, and CBT-informed self-reflection, he emphasizes focusing on what is within one’s control. He highlights platform and step-wedge trial designs as essential tools for reducing research waste and accelerating practice change, underscoring that meaningful impact—not productivity—should define scientific contribution.