This episode of the Driving Change podcast features host Jeff Bloomfield and guest Mohamed Ahmed, a tech executive, entrepreneur, and author. The conversation delves into Mo’s unique journey, emphasizing the critical role of mindset, resilience, and emotional intelligence in achieving success, particularly in entrepreneurship.

Mo shares his origin story, beginning with a childhood incident involving his father’s first PC, which sparked his curiosity in technology. This led him to pursue computer science, eventually earning a PhD and working at tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel. The core of the discussion revolves around Mo’s entrepreneurial experience, including the challenges he faced with his startup and how these experiences shaped his understanding of inner conditioning over external strategy. He recounts two pivotal moments: a paralyzing financial crisis with AWS and a last-minute acquisition deal falling through, highlighting his personal growth in emotional regulation from a four-week recovery period to just two hours.

The conversation extends to the differences between working in large corporations and startups, using vivid analogies to illustrate the contrasting environments. Mo stresses that speed is the key differentiator in startups. Finally, they discuss the impact of AI, with Mo sharing his perspective on AI as an active, revolutionary tool that can make individuals “superhumans” if used effectively. He emphasizes that while AI will cause disruption, it will also create new opportunities, underscoring the importance of adapting and learning to leverage AI rather than fearing job displacement. Mo concludes by introducing his book, The Inside Out Entrepreneur, and the Boundless Founder community, aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs build resilience and navigate their journeys.

Key Points Discussed:

• Origin Story & Early Influences: Mo’s journey into tech began with a childhood incident involving his father’s PC, fostering a lifelong curiosity. His father instilled values of pushing boundaries (“10x better”) and continuous learning (the importance of books).
• The Power of Emotional Intelligence: Mo learned through challenging startup experiences (a significant AWS bill and a failed acquisition) that emotional resilience and self-awareness are paramount. He advocates for “conditioning” one’s mindset rather than just focusing on external strategies.
• Conditioning Framework: Key elements include connecting with your purpose (“why”), separating your identity from your work, and using tactics like the “Five Whys” to objectively address negative emotions.
• Corporate vs. Startup Environments: Mo uses the analogy of swimming in a controlled pool (corporate) versus being thrown into the Atlantic at night (startup) to illustrate the difference. Speed is identified as the primary differentiator for startups.
• Impact of AI: AI is seen as an unprecedented, actively working tool that can significantly enhance human capability. While acknowledging potential disruption, Mo believes AI will create new job opportunities and emphasizes the necessity for individuals to learn and adapt to using AI effectively.
• Boundless Founder Community & The Inside Out Entrepreneur: Mo’s initiatives provide resources and a community focused on the psychological and conditioning aspects of entrepreneurship, aiming to increase founders’ chances of success and personal fulfillment.