There really is no wrong path

This week, many young people feel disheartened after not receiving their desired exam results.

Their hopes and dreams seem crushed by a system that only values traditional academic qualifications, overlooking those who can really contribute to society and industry through practical skills, creativity, hard work, reliability, loyalty, and discipline. These vital meta-skills are often neglected in today's academic framework.

However, I can relate. I wasn’t the most academically gifted compared to my peers, who seemed to excel effortlessly while I struggled. But I thrived in practical work, dedicating time and effort to get the job done. Growing up in a family building business, I learned early on that hard work is necessary to get things done and put food on the table.

For those wondering about their future, remember that your potential is as vast as you imagine it to be.

Despite losing my father and getting poor grades at 16, I went on to college and eventually built a career in the North American start-up industry.

In 1995, I became the second employee of the European division of a tech startup that was later sold to Sun Microsystems for over $400 million during the pre-dotcom era.

I then had the opportunity to continue working with great people and business savants like David Nortier at a Chicago-based tech startup, followed by a New Hampshire-based startup acquired by IBM and HP, respectively, and another another start-up out of San Jose bringing our total exits and acquisitions to nearly $1 billion. Those years were incredible, far beyond what I could have imagined after receiving disappointing exam results on my 16th birthday.

Following Covid, I re-evaluated my life and value system and decided to channel all my energies into helping to triple the bottom line in people, planet and profit, creating sustainable business growth. I had the privilege to join Earthshot nominee Powering Futures and co-found the non-profit Net Zero Nation giving young people and SMEs a platform on which to drive a more sustainable future with skills, innovation, jobs of the future, and gaining competitive advantage.

Looking back, there truly is no wrong path. You develop fortitude and determination through experiencing disappointment and adversity.

At some point in the past, many of us were handed an opportunity and encouraged to go for it.

Today, I encourage you to support people around you. Offer them a helping hand and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves.

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