| | JULY 202119CIOReviewCIOINSIGHTSBEAUTIFULLY AUTISTIC ­ ENABLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT DID MY CHILDREN TEACH ME ABOUT LIFE, BUSINESS, AND INNOVATION?By Ahmed Abukhater, CIO - Chief Innovation Office, Boeing I never thought I would have an Autistic child, much less three. For parents with a child with Autism, having three children on the spectrum is unimaginable. Nothing prepared me for the news or the daily challenges that my sons would face in all aspects of life. From eating to sleeping to even interacting with others in public and at school ­ these are just small examples of the many cognitive and physical challenges they face. Having the honor to live with and get to know my three boys up-close, I've come to realize that unlike the conventional wisdom, our journey together is the reason for my happiness. And that this journey has been an opportunity for me to learn about myself as much as I learn about them, as they try to overcome their difficulties to grow and blossom into who they are today ­ beautifully Autistic, fully capable and amazingly inspiring three little boys.As it turns out, my children are my biggest inspiration. They have opened my eyes to my own capacity, my own level of patience. They have made me realize things about how I see the world and myself. Learning more about how my children think and communicate really helped me become a better communicator and leader. They taught me the most valuable lessons in life that are foundational in my career. Here are some of the lessons that I learned and would like to share with you:1- Do not take anything for granted. Remember your purpose in life - you are here because you have a stentorian call to do amazing things. Find your way and focus on what you can change and get done. If you are given an opportunity, do not waste it by doing mediocre things. Aim to do great things despite your limited resources, do your best, and hope for the best. You'd be surprised - it often works out.2- Be mindful of your limitations as you leverage your strengths to your advantage. Another important lesson is to know your weaknesses (your own scotomasor blind spots) ­ everyone has them. You can Ahmed Abukhater
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