A lot of people look at “success” like it’s a finish line. Hit the title. Hit the milestone. Hit the recognition and then you’re done.

But when Austin Chiang (Chief Medical Officer at Medtronic’s endoscopy division, associate professor, and practicing GI physician) talks about success, he doesn’t describe arrival.

He describes momentum and the responsibility that comes with it.

“Even with Success… I Still Feel Like There’s More I Can Give”

One of Austin’s biggest reflections is something high performers rarely say out loud:

Even when things are going well, the internal drive doesn’t automatically shut off. There’s still more he wants to do, more impact he wants to make, more people he wants to help. That constant pull can be a gift until it becomes a grind.

And that’s where one of his most honest lessons kicks in.

The Skill High Achievers Forget: Celebrate the Wins

Austin admitted he hasn’t historically been great at pausing to celebrate. He’ll push, sprint, stress… and when the thing finally happens, he’s already mentally onto the next challenge.

If you’ve ever hit a goal and felt weirdly empty afterward—or felt like the goalpost moved the second you achieved it, you know exactly what he means.

The fix isn’t “be less ambitious.”

It’s learning how to:

• pause
• take it in
• acknowledge what you did
• recognize who helped you get there

Because success isn’t usually a solo journey. And if you never slow down long enough to appreciate it, you can burn out while “winning.”

Geoff Martha’s 3 Traits of a Great Leader

Austin shared a question he asked Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha: What are the most important traits of a great leader?

The answer stuck with him:

1. Humility
2. Clarity of thought
3. Purpose

That list is a cheat code.

Because it’s not just about being smart or being driven. It’s about staying grounded, thinking clearly, and knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing—especially when things get chaotic.

Your Path Doesn’t Have to Be the Same Forever

Austin’s advice whether you’re pre-med, a clinician, a rep, or someone considering a pivot comes down to one message:

Check in with yourself. Do soul-searching. Stay open.

You can commit to a path, grow in it, and still change your mind later. That isn’t failure. That’s evolution.

He warns against getting so locked into one identity (“this is what I do”) that you miss opportunities that could fit you better—because your blinders are on.

Why Travel Matters More Than People Think

Austin lived in different cultures and traveled widely (including Antarctica), and he credits that exposure with reshaping his perspective.

Travel does something most routines can’t:

• it challenges your assumptions
• forces you to see “there’s more than one way”
• expands what you believe is possible

And in fast-moving fields like healthcare and medtech, that mindset matters—because the people who adapt quickest are the people who stay curious.

Final Thoughts

Austin Chiang’s version of success isn’t a trophy, it’s a responsibility.

If you want to grow like he has, don’t just chase titles. Build the traits that sustain long-term impact: humility, clarity of thought, and purpose. Stay open-minded, keep learning, celebrate wins, and remember your path is allowed to evolve as you do.

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All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin