Have you ever faced a closed door—one youreally wanted to walk through—and wondered if there was another way in?
In this episode of Navigating No, I sit down with my longtime friend John Duong, a business strategist and corporate innovator who has built his success by mastering persistence and adaptability.
From being initially rejected by a top-tier business school to climbing the ranks at AT&T and becoming a Creative Director, John has never let a ‘no’ stop him. Instead, he’s learned to pivot, problem-solve, and turn rejection into an opportunity for something even better.
If you’ve ever struggled with setbacks in your career or personal life, this conversation will challenge you to rethink rejection and unlock new possibilities.
Show Flow:
00:00 Embracing Failure and Taking Chances
00:58 Introducing John Duong: A Journey of Persistence
01:37 College Days and Early Career
05:35 Navigating Business School Rejections
13:51 Corporate Climb and Strategic Thinking
17:11 The Power of Optimism and Gratitude
20:05 Balancing Work and Life
20:41 Finding Passion in Your Role
21:56 Empowering Your Team
23:33 Mentorship and Learning
27:24 Personal Life and Hobbies
34:13 Advice to Younger Self
39:35 Final Thoughts