You need emotional intelligence; to be happy to take risks; to be

“You need emotional intelligence; to be happy to take risks; to be competitive and to look forward not backwards.” — Deborah Meaden

In these clear yet powerful words, Deborah Meaden, a woman of enterprise and wisdom, offers a philosophy fit not only for the marketplace but for life itself. Her voice, though modern, echoes with the cadence of ancient truth — that success, both worldly and spiritual, is born not merely of intellect, but of emotional intelligence, of courage to take risks, of strength to be competitive, and of faith to look forward rather than dwell upon the past. Each of these virtues, when woven together, forms a tapestry of mastery — mastery not over others, but over oneself.

The origin of this quote arises from Meaden’s long experience as a business leader and investor, known for her clarity of thought and her ability to discern not only the logic of profit but the emotions that shape human endeavor. In her world of commerce, she has seen that the most enduring success is never achieved by calculation alone. One must understand people — their motives, their fears, their hopes — and one must understand one’s own heart as well. This is emotional intelligence, the wisdom of awareness that tempers ambition with empathy and transforms conflict into opportunity. It is the ancient art of balance: knowing when to stand firm and when to yield, when to speak and when to listen.

But Meaden’s wisdom reaches further still. To take risks is to embrace the uncertainty of life itself. The ancients called this fortitudo — the virtue of courage. Those who wait for certainty wait forever, for the world is a sea forever in motion. The sailor who fears the storm will never leave the harbor, yet the one who dares learns not only to survive the waves but to ride them. In every age, the daring have been the builders of civilization — from explorers who crossed unknown oceans to inventors who gave light to darkness. They were not reckless, but brave, guided by vision and trust in their craft. To live without risk is to live without growth; to risk is to declare faith in the possible.

Meaden also speaks of being competitive, a word too often misunderstood as aggression or greed. But true competition is not the destruction of others; it is the refining of oneself. Just as iron sharpens iron, so does challenge sharpen the spirit. In the great games of ancient Greece, the runner did not race to humiliate his rivals but to become swifter, more disciplined, more whole. Likewise, in the arena of life, we compete not to dominate but to rise — to measure ourselves against our potential, to keep alive the fire that demands excellence. Without competition, complacency takes root, and the soul grows dull.

Yet the crown of Meaden’s teaching lies in her call to look forward, not backwards. The past is a teacher, but it must not be a jailer. To dwell endlessly on regret is to anchor oneself in waters long passed. Every person, every nation, carries mistakes and misfortunes — but wisdom lies not in mourning them, but in transforming them into guidance for what comes next. As the Roman philosopher Seneca once wrote, “The wind is not favorable to the sailor who does not know his port.” The eyes must face the horizon. Those who stare only at the footprints behind them forget that the journey still stretches ahead.

There is a living example of this truth in the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, who, after years of insecurity and public scorn, became one of the most respected voices for justice and peace. She once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Through courage, compassion, and forward-looking vision, she remade both herself and the world around her. Like Meaden, she understood that emotional intelligence gives strength meaning, that risk gives purpose to action, and that the future belongs to those who have the will to walk toward it.

Thus, the lesson is clear, my children of the modern and the eternal: cultivate your inner balance. Learn not only facts, but feelings; not only tactics, but truth. Be wise in understanding others, brave in seizing opportunity, strong in challenge, and hopeful in vision. The storms of life will test you, but they cannot destroy you if your eyes remain fixed on what lies ahead.

So remember these words of Deborah Meaden as a mantra for your days: feel deeply, act boldly, strive nobly, and move forward always. The heart must guide the mind, and the mind must strengthen the heart. Look not behind in regret, but forward in resolve — for all that is gone cannot be changed, but all that is coming waits to be shaped by your courage. In this lies both happiness and greatness — the unending art of living well.