Cultures and Confidence

Hi!

I had no idea what to expect when I set off for San Francisco with the National Millennial Generation-Z Community. I traveled alone, but I knew I wouldn’t feel that way for long. While I anticipated being in good company and meeting remarkable individuals, my expectations paled in comparison to the reality. Forgive the sentimentality, but I was truly blown away by the experience—expectations be damned.

Mr. Bill Imada, founder of NMGZ and CEO of IW Group, is a distinguished leader, but more importantly, he is the person to whom I owe this transformative experience. Not only does he deeply appreciate and understand the diverse cultures of our world, but he also has an unwavering commitment to sharing them with those who may not have had such exposure. I count myself among the fortunate ones. During my time in San Francisco, I had the privilege of engaging with like-minded students and selfless professionals, forging friendships that will last a lifetime.

Every individual I met on this trip impressed, inspired, and captivated me. I found myself on the edge of my seat, eager to learn more. If I had one regret, it would be that the trip didn’t last longer—honestly, I wish it never had to end. There was no singular peak moment; rather, the experience was a continuous elevation of insight, connection, and growth.

I chose to name my blog post “Cultures and Confidence” since those were my two major “C’s” of the trip. The more I learn, the more confident I become. The more people I meet and connect with, the stronger my sense of self grows. I won’t pretend that confidence has always come easily to me. There was a time when I let the opinions of others dictate my self-worth—a self-defeating mindset that many struggle with. But every day, I become more assured in who I am, and I owe a tremendous “thank you” to Mr. Imada and everyone involved in this experience for giving me a much-needed boost of confidence.

To everyone I had the pleasure of meeting,

Thank you for sharing your time, wisdom, and perspectives with me. I am a better person for having met you. I look forward to reconnecting in the future, when we are even wiser and more established. Thank you for reaffirming my journey and reminding me of my worth. You are all extraordinary, inside and out, and I am grateful beyond words.

With gratitude,

Derek J. Elliott