Obsessed & Driven? A Case For An Invaluable Companion

Why Holmes Needed Watson

Every one knows the story of Sherlock Holmes and Watson. We understand how Holmes valued Watson’s presence in his life and involvement in his cases. Though Holmes seemed quite able to solve problems on his own there was something about having Watson there that made the adventure better. Watson was a springboard, faithful companion, and excellent listener. Holmes tells Watson that he has a grand gift for silence which makes him quite an invaluable companion.

Jonathan Schwabish notes in his book, Elevate the Debate: A Multi-Layered Approach to Communicating Your Research, that stories are 22 times better at communicating information. Stories provide a medium for sharing information where we tend to put our guard down. We are open to what the story has to say, because it’s just a story. My defenses were down so I heard what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had to say, we need a companion.

If we read the story of Vincent Van Gogh’s life we read the story of a man obsessed, driven, by the need to create. Once he decided that he was born to paint he did nothing else. He had a strong drive to paint and told his mother early on that she should have faith in him. He knew what he needed to do and if she would give him time he would succeed. The lack of results did not deter him. He…