A penniless immigrant from an environment entirely unlike that in the United States comes here and winds up at the center of the industry which is at the center of the future.
In times of pressure and problems that seem to be bigger than us, it's a good thing to reflect on the struggles and problems faced by many successful people before us. Andy Grove is definitely one of those people.
His physical life when he was younger was in danger, as he was a Jew living in Europe during the Nazi regime and the subsequent invasion by the Soviets. His grandmother on his father's side of the family had been killed in Auschwitz, and others on wife's side of the family lost their lives in the Holocaust.
During 1944 and early 1945 his life was especially in danger.
So after immigrating to America, and although penniless, he couldn't believe that people were so free, and he started looking toward what he wanted to do.
The point is he didn't consider his past life and struggles as a detriment to success. Sometimes people will give up because they feel their past holds them back from a successful future. Grove would have none of that.
It's hard to picture what it's like to come from the background Grove did, and enter into an entirely foreign environment; even one that was free.
So Grove had to learn what this meant and how to work within the new world he entered.
He ended up, as the writer above concluded, at the center of one of the most significant companies in the world. A company at the center of the future of the world as well.
With virtually no money and in an environment the opposite of anything he ever lived in, he was able to reach these types of heights, and be an example to all that would follow.
As things tighten up in the economy, and challenges face us, we need to keep in mind those that have come before us and how they were able to succeed and solve problems in spite of the size of the mountain in front of them.
Whatever the outcome of a falling U.S. dollar, subprime mortgage problems, credit issues and job creation, we'll find answers for them and other things that may emerge to challenge us. We always have. We needn't panic or make decisions out of fear, but calmly face whatever's ahead of us, and continue to move ahead, while keeping a close eye on which direction things will go.
While there has been a lot of media coverage of the negative sides of the economy (there always is), the direction things will take really hasn't been revealed yet. We need to have plans in place no matter which way things go. The key, as we've been talking about, is whether consumers will slow down in there spending, which would put pressure on almost every business.
The thing is to be ready if they do, and have a strategy ready to survive and thrive whichever direction they take. We'll make it through this difficult time either way. Andy Grove is an example of what determination can accomplish and bring us through.
Other Andy Grove Resources:
Andy Grove's Rational Exuberance
The Digital Age . . . driven by the passion of Intel's Andrew Grove
The History and Influence of Andy Grove
Andy Grove enters new post-Intel role as activist capitalist
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