#19 - From Banking to Entrepreneurship: Embracing Opportunities and Developing Soft Skills

Italian entrepreneur Carlo Vivaldi has led a diverse and dynamic life. Despite his initial aversion to banking, he ended up working in the industry for nearly three decades, eventually reaching the C-suite of a trillion-dollar behemoth.He shares personal anecdotes and experiences that highlight the role of chance in shaping one's career trajectory and emphasizes the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities.Despite his success, Vivaldi eventually left the corporate world behind to pursue his passions. Combining his love for people, innovation, and transformation, he embarked on a new journey as an entrepreneur.Vivaldi now focuses on a venture that aligns with his genuine interests. Through his varied experiences and determined spirit, Carlo Vivaldi continues to embrace new challenges and opportunities. Timestamps[00:02:29] Passion for tennis leads to new venture.[00:06:39] Started as teller, moved up, acquired banks. CEO of 10 banks. Travelled frequently, learned and connected cultures. Now back at headquarters overseeing operations.[00:08:32] Openness, adaptability, luck, and soft skills.[00:16:01] Created platform to showcase talents, promote collaboration.[00:20:17] Creating engines, best practice sharing platform, driving success through collaboration and learning. Key QuotesBecoming a Global CEO: "I've been growing the organization up to the level of being almost the global CEO in the last round two times, and then has been chosen in both cases and external." 00:01:40-00:01:55"Many things are happening because you are there in that moment and because you are there in that moment is because you decided to focus on that specific thing…when things happen by chance like this one, then I value more because it means that I was open to listen or to see an opportunity and it was not pushed by anyone but it was going to happen because of destiny." 00:06:05-00:06:23The Importance of Choosing the Right People Around You: "And so I always told my daughters, I have two daughters, that the most important thing in life is to learn who to choose around you. Because if you are able to choose the proper people around you, then you are safe. And to choose the right people, it's something that school is not telling you how to make this selection. And this is the most important decision you have to do in life, choosing the right people around you." 00:14:44-00:15:09Recommended Resources (Affiliate)If you’re looking for a good editing team, I’ve been pleased with the work of We Edit Podcasts.Castmagic has helped me prepare the show notes. It provides summaries, timestamps, key quotes and a lot more, including custom prompts.