Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of encountering extraordinary individuals who, in a world often shaped by formal structures and interventions, have defied the odds to craft their own success stories. These individuals have succeeded often despite their circumstances and without relying on conventional support systems.
My interest is in focussing on what has shaped these people – what has enabled them to better their outcomes where so many people don’t. Is it down to genetics, personality traits or characteristics like determination, resilience, and willpower? Or is it simply that they took opportunities that presented themselves. These individuals, against all odds, have carved their paths to success without the conventional support systems that society often deems ‘necessary’.
Mindset
At the core of these inspiring tales lies a consistent mindset characterised by resilience, optimism, authenticity, and an unwavering refusal to surrender to adversity. Consider the story of my own father, raised in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in Leicester. Despite the odds stacked against him, he had the belief that he could create a better future. My Dad approached life with enthusiasm and central to this was his commitment to develop the abilities which he was born with – in this case his athletic ability and practicality. Viewing these skills as opportunities for growth, he channelled his innate physical talent to become a successful athlete. This opened doors and he began to mix with people from different backgrounds and who had different opportunities and experiences to his own.
This not only broadened his horizons but also instilled in him a competitive spirit and determination to pursue his goals, which in turn developed friendships and proved a catalyst to work hard to gain skills and qualifications which enabled him to earn money to travel and represent his athletics club, county, and country, undeterred by a lack of external support.
Family Background
While a supportive family environment can undoubtedly nurture success, many individuals who thrive without formal intervention come from backgrounds marked by adversity. Raised in single-parent households or low-income families, they draw strength from their upbringing, imbued with values of hard work and perseverance. Instead of succumbing to the cycle of disadvantage, they view their circumstances as catalysts for growth, leveraging familial resilience to chart their paths to success. Conversely where there is no familial ambition or support individuals often simply take the path of least resistance and reflect what they see – in turn creating generational economic inactivity and lack of aspiration.
Education
Formal education is a privilege provided to us all here in the UK however it is not accessible for everyone, and neither is it something that we all take to and enjoy. Some individuals, have familial responsibilities maybe caring for disabled or incapable family members at a young age, which means that education takes a back seat. The education system itself can fail people who do not fit the ‘typical’ mould – and neurodivergent individuals have traditionally found education setting inflexible and demoralising. In many cases individuals can become voracious learners, once they find their passion or how they best access knowledge. Without opportunity and space to explore learning these individuals grow up believing that they are simply not intelligent – which often couldn’t be further from the truth.
We interviewed Ivan Browne for our Big Bold Conversations podcast and his journey to becoming a Professor of Public Health at De Montfort University exemplifies the educational journey. Through unconventional means and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, he defied limitations to carve his niche in academia.
Intersectionality
There are so many nuanced aspects to individual success and no two people experience the same journey. However by examining these individual stories I think we can begin to identify different aspects of identity which have contributed to the challenges we all face and how to overcome them. Highlighting the interplay of various identity aspects, challenging the notion of a one-size-fits-all narrative. An intersectional approach to inclusion acknowledges the compounded challenges and privileges shaping individuals' journeys. Recognising the untapped potential across diverse communities is essential for fostering inclusive environments that enable personal growth and societal betterment.
Unleashing Untapped Potential
The stories of self-driven success underscore the transformative power of determination, resourcefulness, and community support. While individual resilience is crucial, mentorship, aspiration, and positive examples play equally significant roles in shaping outcomes. By harnessing the collective potential within our communities, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
As I reflect on the diverse journeys of those who have triumphed against the odds, I am inspired by their resilience and optimism and they serve as powerful reminders of the fact that humans are all the same at our base level.
Ivan Browne shared an interesting anecdote with me during our interview; he said that genetically there is very little difference between people born into deprivation and poverty than those born into affluence. Yet the outcomes of these two cohorts couldn’t be more different. Imagine then if you will, that there are many potential brain surgeons, astrophysicists, philosophers, politicians and doctors walking amongst the council estates and inner cities of the UK as can be found in the home counties and affluent city suburbs.
I draw inspiration from their experiences, and imagine the boundless ability and possibilities that lie within our own communities and society in general. Unleashing this untapped potential for the betterment of the world is part of our duty as humans’ in the world of work, helping to develop capability to shape our futures, irrespective of the challenges we may face.
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