Humility Brings Success

Humility Brings Success

Jasbina Ahluwalia asks Aakash Patel, Founder and President of Elevate, Inc.: That’s interesting. You have such a diverse professional background in journalism, government affairs, business development and PR.

What is your perspective on how previous endeavors can enhance your chances of success in subsequent seemingly unrelated endeavors? Our listeners are in all different fields and may have similarly been building blocks in different industries.

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Aakash Patel

Humility Brings Success: Ask For What You Want

There are two things that I always say here in the media locally. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

When you apply for certain programs, bid on certain projects or ask someone for their business, they probably say, “You’re too young. You’re a minority. You’re not experienced enough. You can’t deliver every one of my goals.” I say, “Give me a chance. Let me deliver.”

One of my coolest experiences was in 2010. I do a lot with our military.

Humility Brings Success: Asking Works!

Our military is our third largest employer here in Hillsborough County. We have 11,000 people here today with central command at MacDill Air Force Base. I’m one of the few young professionals who has a base pass. I’m part of the leadership program.

One of the base commanders called me in 2010 and said, “Would you know any business owners who would want to go on our delegation to Guantanamo to experience and be an ambassador for our nation?”

I said, “You need a young professional to go on the trip. I would love for it to be someone in the Indian American community, not just me, but there are doctors, CPAs and lawyers involved.”

They said, “You are the first person we asked, so we’re going to take you.” My advice is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Always ask when it’s appropriate.

Humility Brings Success: Accept Rejection

The second piece of advice is humility.

I’ve applied to several leadership programs, even this week, where I did not get in on the first try. Even with the Governor’s appointment, I did not get accepted the first time.

I learn from everything. I try to teach others. I have a little brother who is about to start college next year. Humility is really big.

We are all associated at some point with folks who, when they don’t get in, they throw in the towel.

Humility Brings Success: Be Persistent

We cannot throw in the towel. We have to be persistent and determined. I have been rejected from leadership programs many times.

The FBI Citizens Academy was one recently. I think I was rejected the first two times. I just completed it. I just went to Quantico. I did my training. That was one experience where, I’m so glad that I did it at the time in my life. It was right after the convention.

I got to experience a lot of things that I don’t think I would have the first couple of times.

My advice to listeners is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Always speak your mind. Be humble in everything that you do.

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Tell Us:

Have you experienced when humility brings success? Share your stories with us below in the comments section.

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The above is an excerpt from Jasbina’s interview with Aakash Patel

The entire interview transcript is at: Aakash Patel NetIP (Network of Indian Professionals) Interview – Entrepreneurship: How He Did It, How You Can Do It, Too

Listen to the entire interview on: Intersections Match Talk Radio – Jasbina’s Lifestyle Show

Listen to the entire interview on Blog Talk Radio: NetIP