Taking a Little and Creating a Lot: Insights From An Immigrant
At a time of great anxiety regarding the influx of immigrants into developed countries, it’s helpful to share a few personal observations for the benefit of those who are open to understanding and harnessing some of the benefits that have ensued from living in relatively poor economies and policies that encourage and welcome immigration.
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Growing up in a developing country comes with unique experiences that can shape an individual's worldview, especially when coupled with other factors like being non-white and having to navigate colonial power structures. These experiences, coupled with a comprehensive and practical education, typically result in an individual being creative, disciplined, and resourceful, which are critical traits for succeeding in life. Such experiences and insights can be useful to all associated parties who are engaged in striving for professional, entrepreneurial, and financial success in developed countries like the United States.
The first critical lesson that growing up in a developing country teaches an individual is how to make the most of limited resources. In such countries, basic needs such as food, water, and shelter may not be readily available, so one has to be creative and resourceful to meet these needs. These habits, forged from necessity, teach individuals to be innovative and entrepreneurial, making them more open-minded about using the resources available to them to achieve their goals. For example, there are the hundreds of families I know that combine simple ingredients ingeniously to create the most delicious and nutritious meals and support optimal levels of health. When integrated with a determination to learn, individuals leverage these skills to create something valuable from nothing, desirable outcomes when starting a business or advancing a career.
Another lesson that growing up in a developing country teaches is the value of hard work and discipline. In such countries, there are limited opportunities, so individuals have to work hard to create opportunities for themselves. They learn the value of perseverance and discipline, which are crucial traits for success in any endeavor. These attributes can serve anyone striving for professional or financial success in developed countries, where the competition is fierce, and the opportunities have to be identified, seized and converted to meaningful benefits for multiple parties if they are to be preserved.
Being non-white and having to navigate colonial power structures teaches individuals invaluable lessons. They learn the importance of resilience and self-reliance, which are indispensable for accelerating success in any pursuit. But they also learn to be adaptable, collaborative and flexible, as they have to navigate different cultures and systems to succeed. These competencies are particularly relevant in a globalized world, where individuals have to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
When fused with life experiences that emphasize cooperation and collaboration as essential requirements for survival, these patterns of behavior help individuals and those with whom they associate succeed to an even greater extent than when they are not engaged together. The skills learned through growing up in a developing country, being non-white, and navigating colonial power structures are usually leveraged to create opportunities for oneself and others. For instance, the skills of being creative and resourceful are applied to starting a business or developing new products, while hard work and discipline are applied to improve performance and results for employers, advance the careers of their colleagues and facilitate the achievement of financial success.
In conclusion, growing up in a developing country and navigating colonial power structures provide valuable experiences and insights that are useful for anyone striving for professional, entrepreneurial, and financial success. These experiences teach individuals to be creative, disciplined, and resourceful, which are critical skills for succeeding in any endeavor. Individuals leverage these skills to create opportunities for themselves and others, which is particularly relevant in a globalized world where individuals have to navigate different cultures and systems to succeed. So, the next time you feel disadvantaged by your background, remember that taking a little and creating a lot is possible with the right mindset and skills.
Renwick Brutus' career has spanned roles as research economist, investment advisor, entrepreneur and consultant. He holds an MBA from Fordham University and has been recognized for his outstanding achievement in sales and business leadership. Today, Renwick applies his unique blend of business strategy and interpersonal skills to help individuals prosper and companies grow. He owns multiple companies and is in great demand to consult with business leaders. Contact him by email and LinkedIn .