Last week, I found myself standing in front of a small building in a quiet Romanian village—Barasti de Vede.

It was the same place where I spent summers as a child, in a kindergarten with peeling paint and worn-out playground equipment. Thirty-five years ago, the place looked different—post-communist, unpolished, a reflection of an environment still reeling from economic hardship.

But as I stood there, under the same sky, staring at the same walls, I realized something:

This was where my story began.

And it’s not the kind of story you’d expect from someone in leadership today.

The road to where I am now—a leadership coach and consultant—didn’t start in an entrepreneurial family or with a wealth of resources.

My parents were workers. We didn’t talk about business strategies or investment portfolios over dinner. The idea of global leadership or professional growth wasn’t even a concept that entered the conversation. And yet, there was always something in me that pushed for more.

As I walked through my childhood memories—past the little farm, the modest home, and the weathered school in Curtea de Argeș—I realized that my story could resonate with leaders today, especially those who might not see themselves as “worthy” of investing in their own growth.

Because the truth is:

Where you start doesn’t determine where you end up.

Three thoughts:

1. Challenge Your Environment

Growing up, the environment around me wasn’t designed for ambition.

The opportunities were few, the resources even fewer. But from a young age, I felt an undeniable urge to challenge what was in front of me.

I didn’t settle for the limitations of my surroundings. I see this same challenge facing many leaders today, particularly in the tech and engineering sectors.

Your environment may be structured, rigid, and demanding. You may face resistance to change, both from your team and yourself. But as a leader, it’s your job to push beyond those barriers.

Standing in front of that school, I was reminded that breaking free of your environment isn’t just about your circumstances.

It’s about mindset.

Leaders must challenge the status quo, question assumptions, and always ask, “What’s next?” That’s what drove me as a child, and it’s what drives great leaders today.

2. Invest in Yourself

There was a time when investing in myself—whether it was courses, conferences, or coaches—felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford.

I saw things like leadership development programs or events like Live2Lead, which I now host on October 17th, as too expensive or too far out of reach.

At that time, I didn’t feel like I was “worthy” of the investment. The money. The time away from work.

Sound familiar?

For many leaders, particularly in technical industries, investing in yourself can feel like a burden or an indulgence. But here’s what I’ve learned: The best leaders, the ones who stand out, are the ones who never stop learning and growing.

It’s not enough to invest in your team and your business if you’re not also investing in yourself.

As I stood in front of my childhood school, I thought about all the investments I’ve made in myself since then.

Not just financial ones, but time, energy, and commitment. I invested in books, courses, resources, mentors, and coaches.

And the return? It’s been exponential. I’ve grown not just as a leader but as a person.

For anyone reading this who feels like they don’t have the time, money, or energy to invest in themselves—trust me, I get it.

But I also want to challenge you. You are worthy of the investment.

Your growth as a leader isn’t just about your business—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

3. Surround Yourself with the Right People

Looking back, another key factor that transformed my journey was the decision to surround myself with people who were better than me. People who thought differently.

That decision wasn’t easy.

Growing up in a small, post-communist village, I wasn’t exactly surrounded by mentors and forward-thinkers. It wasn’t until I reached out, took a leap, and joined the Maxwell Leadership team that I started to truly understand the power of the people you surround yourself with.

They elevated my thinking, expanded my vision, and challenged me to grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

For leaders in tech and engineering, this is critical.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

If you’re constantly surrounded by people who think the same way, solve problems the same way, and approach leadership the same way, you’re limiting your potential.

Seek out people who challenge you. People who bring out the best in you.

And yes, sometimes that means stepping out of your comfort zone, just like I did when I left my familiar environment to join the Maxwell Leadership team.

Let me leave you with this.

As I prepare to host Live2Lead on October 17th, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come since those early days in my Romanian village. And I’m here to tell you: No matter where you start, you can become a better leader.

Challenge your environment.

Invest in yourself.

Surround yourself with the right people.

The story of leadership isn’t about where you begin. It’s about what you choose to do with the opportunities—and challenges—in front of you.

So, take that leap. Make that investment. Join us at Live2Lead. You’ll be amazed at how far you can go.

Kindly,

Florin