I found strength in every way possible because I was a weak kid, and I wanted courage and strength, so I looked for strong role models.

I grew up in a tough environment as an immigrant, which shaped my intense drive to succeed and win.

I never liked being at the mercy of anyone else, which drove my desire to create my own path and not be told what to do by parents, teachers, or bosses.

Therapy taught me that fighting my parents was pointless; they loved me and were on my side.

I realized that my workaholic tendencies stemmed from a fear of annihilation and a desire to prove my worth, which I had to confront to find balance in my life.

Reflecting on my experiences, I recognized that I had been living in the shadow of what I could have been as a leader, which became my wakeup call to address my internal issues. I took a test for childhood trauma and scored alarmingly high, which helped me understand my stress and conflict handling.

I learned to give autonomy to my leaders, believing that I should hire executives who are more like peers than subordinates.

I want my 11-year-old self to be proud of the leader I've become, knowing that I've tried to make a difference and uplift others while breaking every norm that exists.

I believe in the power of affirmation and actively seek mentors and sponsors to help me navigate my career, especially since I lacked role models in my immediate family.