Fearless and Fragile
The Role Models Our Children Need Today
In their quest for a better future, budding entrepreneurs at Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey, competed for the prestigious Hult Prize on Dec. 13–14. The award, viewed as the Nobel prize in its field, is bestowed annually to graduate and undergraduate students, representing more than 1,500 universities in 121 countries, who present the best solution to urgent social problems.
This year’s theme was “ Empowering the Earth,” which challenged students to create radical, innovative, and disruptive companies that could change the world — not only generating revenue, but minimizing the carbon footprint on our beautiful planet.
I was honored to be the keynote speaker and host for the event.
As a professional speaker, trainer, and advocate, I travel all over the world for engagements. It’s always interesting to see how companies and organizations plan and conduct their events. This one particularly attracted my interest because it was run by students, ranging from 17 to 23 years of age, under the supervision of their Hult Prize campus director, Barrington Chungulo, himself a student and entrepreneur.
These young people personify their generation’s concern for the future. Chungulo and his team overcame numerous obstacles, such as finding sponsors to fund the competition and recruiting international figures to serve as judges and speakers, producing a memorable event.
The favorite part of my professional life is not my moment in the spotlight, but the time I spend offstage, getting to know my audience, one at a time. The most useful knowledge about people — their cultures and philosophies — comes when they share their stories. Their personal experiences are a treasure trove of understanding. As an advocate for empathy, I know that the best way to “feel with the heart of another” is by listening to their trials and triumphs as they relate their journeys.
Many of these students came from countries with ongoing political strife, even war-torn nations like Iraq, fleeing ISIS persecution. Nearly all of the ones I met arrived with empty pockets, but full scholarships: their tuition, room and board are covered by the government.
These aspiring entrepreneurs brim with enthusiasm, but do not enjoy many of the privileges of U.S. students. The major they pick when applying to the university is the one they must stick with until the end. There can be no change of heart. Those I met who dared to pursue passions like art, architecture or agriculture went against the expectations of their culture and community, where the pressure to “play it safe” and choose majors like medicine, engineering or computer science is intense; however, their risk of graduating with no guaranteed income is even higher. Yet, their sense of self-worth and unbridled confidence enables them to take such risks — their dreams become the blueprint of their success.
Many of the students I met had launched business ventures in their home countries, some repeatedly. Risk-taking is inherent in entrepreneurship; there is no guarantee of success. With limited resources, these kids courageously dove into business — sometimes failing, but learning and growing from each experience. While most people’s biggest fear is failure, these students embraced intimidating challenges with open hands and hearts, courting change by choosing courage over comfort.
Adversity is the best measure of inner strength. Having lived through hardships in their native countries, these young people displayed more determination and resilience than most adults I know.
Famed social scientist Dr. Brene Brown once said: “Hope is not an emotion — it is a cognitive process. And hope is a function of struggle.” These students’ eyes beamed with HOPE, which only happens when we believe in ourselves enough to pursue our passions.
When I was asked to host and keynote their event, I immediately agreed. Like most people, I empathize with our suffering planet. Climate change is an assault on our “pale blue dot.” We are already paying a horrible price for our reckless stewardship of the environment: prolonged droughts, devastating storms, destructive wildfires, and rising ocean levels as polar ice caps melt. That is why it is so important to speak out and take action to mitigate damage. Radically innovative companies are needed to restore the environment by ushering in change.
It was humbling to learn how deeply my stories and message resonated with the students. What struck me more was how so many of them approached me later, not only telling me how they were affected by the lessons I shared, but also wanting to polish their speaking skills by starting a Toastmasters club at their university so they can articulate their business ideas more effectively.
Competition for the The Hult Prize was fierce, with 20 teams vying to improve the environment with their innovative business ideas. “Traffic Redesigned,” which focused on sustainable transport, took first place — deservedly so — as the most creative plan to change the world.
Transformation starts from within. I’m reminded of the phrase “Strong back, soft front,” coined by Buddhist teacher Joan Halifax. These students were a perfect combination of fearless (a strong back) and fragile (a soft front) — the attributes of true role models. Joan explains that “a strong back” is about equanimity and our ability to remain resolute in difficult times. It enables us to be grounded. “Soft front,” on the other hand, allows us the flexibility to accept life on its terms.
When we cultivate a “strong back and soft front,” we can weather turbulence with strength, elegance, and an accepting heart. Fearless and fragile, the twin pillars that allow us to meet any challenge, are the qualities our children need today in role models. When we are inwardly secure, our spirit cannot be compromised. Then, like these students, we will feel a compelling desire to right the wrongs we see in this world.
Sarah Khan
Speaker | Advocate | Peacemonger
