At a recent SiGMA East Europe panel moderated by Sara Al Madani, entrepreneurs Rob Moore and Jamie Frasser offered profound insights on overcoming obstacles, embracing criticism, and the importance of individualism. Both successful in their own right, they embody the drive to make a difference beyond business success, striving to empower those around them.

Challenging gender perceptions and embracing individualism

The discussion opened with reflections on gender dynamics in business. Both speakers emphasized the need to move beyond traditional gender roles. Jamie Fraser highlighted that half of his leadership team consists of women, stating, “I empower women a lot. It’s about creating equal opportunities.” Rob echoed a similar sentiment, advocating for individualism over gender labels. He explained, “It’s not about male or female; it’s about individuals.”

Rob went further to discuss how his personal and professional life has benefited from embracing the strengths of others, regardless of gender. He highlighted the value of criticism from his wife, noting, “The person that can humble you the most in your life as a man is your wife. Therefore, she has the power to also give you the feedback to be the strongest that you can be.”

Embracing criticism as a tool for growth

Both Rob Moore and Jamie Fraser stressed the importance of accepting criticism as a pathway to personal and professional growth. Jamie spoke candidly about the challenges he faced growing up, including low confidence and stuttering, which led to multiple rejections early in his career. He said, “Criticism drove me to where I’ve got to today. If you stay on your journey, then anything becomes possible.”

Rob echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that constructive criticism is essential for development. He argued that surrounding oneself with people who only offer praise can be detrimental, adding, “You need people who will say, ‘Look, that’s wrong. You are better than that.’ That’s how you grow.”

Overcoming fear: The ultimate risk

A key theme of the discussion was the concept of fear as a limiting factor. Rob shared his motto: “If you don’t risk anything, you risk everything.” He believes that the biggest risk in life is remaining in one’s comfort zone. “People think that starting a business is the risk. I think staying in a job you don’t love is the risk, especially with inflation how much it is,” he said. Rob advised the audience to take calculated risks and not let fear hold them back, as it’s often just negative imagination.

Jamie resonated with this perspective, recalling advice from his mother during a challenging time in his early career. She told him, “The only thing you can guarantee if you don’t try is failure.” This mindset propelled Jamie to keep pushing forward, eventually leading him to create a global organization and win prestigious awards.

The power of vulnerability and resilience

Both entrepreneurs underscored the importance of being vulnerable and authentic. They shared that their personal struggles and willingness to be open about their flaws have been instrumental in their success. “You are the writer, the director, the author of your movie,” claims Dr Madani. Rob and Jamie’s stories serve as powerful reminders that no matter the challenges, the journey of self-improvement and resilience is what defines true success.