Thirty years ago, I was a young man standing at a crossroads, with nothing to call my own. I had just walked away from my father’s farm—a decision that would change my life forever. I wasn’t simply rejecting a career; I was rejecting the weight of expectations that had shaped my entire existence. My father had groomed me to inherit his legacy, but I struggled with that role, torn between his vision and my own deep yearning to explore bigger questions in life.
From an early age, I had a fascination with what lay beyond the rational. I was the one people turned to when they were hurting. Helping others felt right. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew it had to be in alignment with who I was at my core.

In my teenage years—a time when the need for my father’s approval became overwhelming. It consumed me, until one day, at 22, I chose freedom. Not freedom from my father or the farm, but the freedom to define my own path. At the time, I had no idea how pivotal that choice would be. But looking back, I owe everything to that single act of choosing myself.

Why This Story Matters to You?

This isn’t just my story—it’s a truth we all face in both life and business. The most defining decisions we make—the ones that shape our future—are always those made from a place of authenticity.
In business, we experience the same struggles. “We lose our way – We compromise for short-term gains – We chase opportunities that don’t align with who we are.”
Fortunately we are never truly lost—as long as we realign with our authentic selves. In professional terms, this sounds like: “We returned to our core.”
Just like I was expected to inherit my father’s farm, many businesses inherit ways of thinking that no longer serve them. They unconsciously follow industry norms, pursue trends, and make compromises—until one day, they realize they’ve lost themselves.

The way forward? The same as I did: a conscious choice to realign with their true identity.
How often do we forget our roots in pursuit of the next big opportunity?
How often do we sacrifice long-term integrity for short-term wins?
How often do we betray our values—not out of intent, but out of complacency?

You might think, That never happens to me! But how do you know? When was the last time you truly questioned whether your decisions, the latest deal, your strategy was in alignment with who you are and what your company stands for?

That’s where Introspection becomes your most valuable business tool. Introspection is the single most important tool for long-term success. It is the conscious practice of evaluating your decisions, motivations, and company culture to ensure alignment with your purpose, values, and long-term impact. It’s the inner compass that keeps leadership authentic, strategy focused, and your company growth sustainable.
If I hadn’t deeply questioned myself as a young man, I never would have made the decision that shaped my destiny.
But the challenge with destiny-shaping decisions—we rarely recognize them for what they are when they happen.
That’s why we need to Introspect—to continuously ground ourselves in our Growth Identity that defines who we are as a company, what we stand for, and why our organization exists beyond profit. Every business that thrives long-term does so because it stays true to its core.

« THE GREATEST RISK ISN’T FAILURE; IT’S LOSING SIGHT OF WHO WE ARE.»

At 22, I stood in the barn, facing a choice—follow the path laid out for me by others or realign with who I truly was. I chose freedom. In business, we face the same crossroads. Every decision is a choice between alignment and compromise. The greatest risk isn’t failure; it’s losing sight of who we are.
So ask yourself: Are you leading from authenticity, or have you lost sight of your north star?

Marco Houwen has long been the “Internet and Cloud guy” in Luxembourg. His atypical career of more than 20 years in ICT led him onto his path today where he supports leaders at the heart of their entrepreneurial process. He does this as a strategic life coach for senior executives and entrepreneurs. Marco frequently contributes to Trans-for-nation sharing insight and his experience for practicing authentic and holistic leadership in a turbulent, disoriented world.
marco@zentrapreneur.com