Speaking in Romania

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to speak to students at the Leaders of Tomorrow (Liderii de Maine) Conference in Bucharest. A friend who organized the event had been inviting me for years, and this time, I finally committed. Romania wasn't initially on my bucket list, but after this trip, we'll be returning, and I'm hopeful that I can help make an impact, whether on a single person or on them more collectively. I wanted to share a bit about our experience, my learnings, and why Romania has now captured my attention.

Background

Before the trip, my knowledge of Romania was limited to its location on a map and some friends who had moved there from Dallas (who we loved getting to visit and catch up with). Romania was under Communist rule until 1989, for reference, Dead Poets Society and When Harry Met Sally were released that year (now I feel old...). Now, it's transitioning towards democracy. During our stay, we even witnessed a riot outside our hotel, sparked by heated election protests. Exploring Bucharest, I saw the lasting impacts of Communism: Soviet-style housing, the massive People's House, and even some '80s-inspired fashion. The deeper effects, like a communal mindset, high taxes, and resistance to innovative thinking, became apparent through conversations. Honestly, the more time I spent with people, the more I came to appreciate simply being born in the US - it's not anything I did and something we easily take for granted.

Opportunity

The conference targeted students from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE), mainly those studying business and entrepreneurship, my ideal audience, honestly. I spoke about Conscious Capitalism, building a strong company culture, and using the balanced scorecard to run your business. The students ranged from first-years, who were a bit green and I may have missed the mark with, to third-years, who were so engaged and inquisitive that I didn't want the conversation to end. As Romania shifts towards capitalism, there's a crucial need to guide these students on what that journey entails. Hopefully, we can share our experiences to help them become more conscious capitalists.