Getting There

“Mentors don’t always have to be people in your life; sometimes their stories alone can inspire and guide you toward uncovering your own potential.”

1. Success can be shaped by the influence of inspiring parents.

Children often look up to their parents, using their achievements or sacrifices as a guiding light for their own goals. Nitin Nohria’s story shows how one can use these lessons without following an identical path. Born in India, Nohria admired his father, who rose from a small village to become an accomplished engineer and CEO.

Although Nohria sought to pursue an engineering career to honor his father, he struggled academically in science-focused courses. His talent, however, shone brightly in literature, history, and economics, prompting him to consider a new path aligned with his strengths. He eventually shifted his focus, moving to the United States to study management at MIT, where he excelled and earned a doctorate.

Through hard work and determination over the years, Nohria became the dean of Harvard Business School. While he didn’t replicate his father’s career, the motivation and lessons from his father led him to embrace his own journey, demonstrating that inspiration from family can carve unique paths to success.

Examples

• Nitin’s father was one of the first from a rural village to graduate and build a career as a CEO.
• Nohria’s passion for humanities pushed him to switch his focus from engineering to management.
• His pursuit led him to become the dean of an esteemed institution, embodying the “American dream.”

2. A difficult childhood can fuel creativity and resilience.

Marina Abramović grew up with rigidity and loneliness, raised in a controlling household by parents with military backgrounds. Her mother enforced strict rules that left her isolated, shaping much of her formative years. Despite the lack of warmth, Abramović found solace in creativity, starting to explore art at a very young age.

Her discovery that art could originate from her body and the world around her became a cornerstone in her career. Abramović ventured into performance art, a genre considered unconventional during her time. Despite heavy criticism, she pushed limits, utilizing her challenging past to fuel emotionally charged and groundbreaking work.

Through persistence, Abramović’s performances gained recognition, turning her into an international sensation. Her story highlights that adversity during childhood can inspire unique forms of expression and the strength to confront societal perceptions.

Examples

• Abramović experienced a highly structured upbringing, marked by strict rules such as being awakened if she slept improperly.
• Watching contrails in the sky helped her realize that art could emerge from ephemeral moments.
• She became a leading figure in performance art despite being dismissed early in her career.

3. Weaknesses can drive innovation and community building.

Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist, was an introverted “computer nerd” who struggled socially during his youth. His difficulties in communication left him feeling disconnected, but they also became the driver for his professional journey.

When the internet began to emerge in 1995, Newmark saw an opportunity to leverage technology to foster connections among people. He started by emailing event tips to friends, which expanded into building an online platform with community-based listings. This simple effort evolved into Craigslist, a widely used tool for buying, selling, and sharing today.

Newmark turned a personal shortcoming—poor social skills—into a strength by using the internet to connect people. His desire to create a sense of belonging speaks to how innovation often comes from solving personal challenges.

Examples

• Newmark realized in school that his poor communication skills hindered him socially.
• By 1997, Craigslist had one million monthly views, reflecting its widespread adoption.
• His goal to “give people a break” remains the core philosophy of Craigslist today.

4. Idealism can push boundaries and create impactful change.

Wendy Kopp’s work proves that what others may label as ambitious or unrealistic can lead to societal improvement. As a Princeton student, she was struck by the vast inequalities in education. This realization spurred her to start Teach For America, a program recruiting top graduates to teach in underserved communities.

Though many dismissed her idea as unachievable, Kopp persisted. She sent fundraising letters to countless CEOs and business leaders, eventually securing financial support after receiving positive media coverage. This allowed Teach For America to launch with nearly 500 teachers.

Kopp’s perseverance illustrates that idealism, when paired with determination, has the power to break down skepticism and introduce impactful solutions.

Examples

• A conversation with a CEO during college inspired Kopp to address educational inequality.
• Despite hundreds of rejected requests for funds, Kopp secured a $500,000 grant from Ross Perot.
• Teach For America now thrives, proving how persistence can turn visions into realities.

5. Turning setbacks into stepping stones leads to discoveries.

Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, initially dreamed of becoming a lawyer but failed her law exams twice. Instead of giving up, she pivoted, taking a door-to-door sales job selling fax machines—a role rife with rejection but one that built her resilience.

Blakely’s invention stemmed from a personal problem: cutting the feet off her pantyhose led her to create shapewear products that were both practical and stylish. This simple solution became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey, eventually making her a billionaire.

Her story emphasizes embracing setbacks as opportunities, as they can lead to unexpected and fulfilling outcomes.

Examples

• Failing her law exams twice pushed Blakely to explore new possibilities.
• Her persistence during her sales job taught her to handle constant rejection.
• Her product, Spanx, gained global success thanks to its initial prototype developed by a factory owner who believed in her.

6. Happiness and hard work can coexist, even amidst hardship.

John Paul DeJoria’s early life was defined by poverty, yet his mother instilled in him the belief that happiness stems from effort and integrity, not wealth. As an adult, DeJoria worked various jobs before co-founding John Paul Mitchell Systems, all while facing financial struggles like living out of his car.

DeJoria’s work ethic and commitment to ethics helped grow his business into a major hair-care enterprise. His focus on helping customers make informed decisions paved the way for future ventures in industries like tequila and diamonds.

This journey underscores how humble beginnings and persistence can lead to immense achievements without losing sight of one’s values.

Examples

• As a child, DeJoria’s family often struggled to make ends meet but valued contentment in simple joys.
• His early jobs included tasks like making flower boxes and working as a tow-truck driver.
• Patrón, his tequila brand, is now globally recognized and celebrated.

7. Rejection can be a catalyst for one’s perseverance.

Throughout the stories in the book, rejection is a consistent theme, yet it didn’t deter the individuals from pursuing their visions. Wendy Kopp faced countless rejections when raising money for Teach For America. Sara Blakely, despite being repeatedly turned away, succeeded in finding a manufacturer for her shapewear.

This perseverance highlights the importance of seeing rejection not as failure but as an avenue to refine approaches and build resilience.

Examples

• Kopp received funding only after relentless effort and media attention.
• Blakely endured countless "no's" before receiving her first prototype approval.
• DeJoria lived in extreme conditions while nurturing his business dream.

8. Finding the right mentor fosters growth.

Mentorship can take many forms—even learning from someone’s struggles or triumphs from afar. The lives of those featured in this book show that guidance doesn't always have to be direct; lessons can be drawn from others' paths regardless of personal interaction.

Examples

• Nitin Nohria looked up to his father for inspiration and principles even as he branched into a different career.
• Abramović’s creative discoveries stemmed from her ability to reflect on her isolated upbringing.
• DeJoria embraced his mother’s optimistic principles, shaping his work ethic and business philosophy.

9. Trust in your instincts when pursuing an unconventional goal.

Innovators like Craig Newmark and Sara Blakely trusted their abilities even when their ideas seemed impractical to others. Taking nontraditional paths enables distinctive perspectives that often pave the way for unique success.

Examples

• Newmark combined technology and community-building, despite a lack of experience connecting with people.
• Blakely saw untapped potential in elevating women’s shapewear to the mainstream market.
• Abramović pursued her art unapologetically despite early ridicule, revolutionizing her field.

Takeaways

1. Learn to turn rejection into motivation; it's often part of the journey to meaningful achievements.
2. Use personal challenges or past shortcomings as tools to inspire innovation or transformation.
3. Seek mentorship not only in person but also through observing and learning from others’ stories.