Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People When the Plan Falls Apart: Finding Yourself in Change with Maya Shankar
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Jan 14, 2026 
Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and former White House senior advisor, dives into the complexities of change. She shares her journey with violin, overcoming imposter syndrome, and shifting identities after a hand injury. Maya argues that growth emerges not from ease but from hardship, offering practical, science-backed strategies to navigate uncertainty. She emphasizes the importance of anchoring identity to purpose, embracing multiple identities, and reassessing values during transitions, revealing how change can lead to resilience and deeper gratitude.
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From Juilliard To Reinvention
- Maya Shankar studied violin at Juilliard and was privately taught by Itzhak Perlman at age 13.
- A sudden hand injury at 15 ended her violin dreams and forced her to reinvent her identity.
Change As Revelation
- Change often feels like an apocalypse yet the Greek root means revelation and can expose hidden parts of ourselves.
- Maya argues that big disruptions can reveal values and abilities that lead to a wiser, transformed self.
Anchor Identity To Your Why
- Anchor identity to your underlying 'why' rather than a single role or activity.
- Ask what you love about an activity and find alternative outlets that express that same why.
