We recently connected with Litas Li and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Litas, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I genuinely believe in the saying, “You don’t build confidence; you build evidence.” Confidence isn’t something you suddenly acquire; it’s a construct formed through experiences and learnings over time. I wasn’t always confident, and even today, I wouldn’t call myself a naturally confident person. However, I’m at a place where I feel comfortable acknowledging what I don’t know, which has been a transformative shift.
Five years ago, I often felt uncomfortable and even inferior in situations where I felt outmatched or less capable. I realized back then, I had a “competition mindset”—constantly comparing myself to others and feeling the pressure to measure up. Over time, I transitioned to a “curiosity mindset.” Instead of competing, I became eager to learn from others and explore diverse perspectives.
One particular experience stands out. Early in my career, I was in a business development role, often meeting with C-level executives. As a young professional, I naturally felt a sense of inadequacy in those high-stakes environments. I remember one specific meeting: I walked into a large office where three senior executives were waiting, arms crossed, assessing me. The weight of that moment hit me, and I worried my pitch would seem amateurish.
Initially, my presentations didn’t always go as planned. However, once I began shifting to a curiosity mindset, everything changed. I stopped focusing on proving myself and started focusing on learning from the people in the room. I asked questions, showed genuine interest in their insights, and sought their perspectives. This approach transformed my interactions. The conversations became more engaging, and the atmosphere in the room shifted from pressure to collaboration.
Eventually, I felt my role shift too—from someone trying to make an impression to a partner genuinely seeking to find better solutions with them. This transition not only improved my self-esteem but also built a foundation of real confidence, based on growth, learning, and adaptability.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I started my journey as the founder of a tech startup, diving into business development and focusing on building products that solved real-world problems. While the tech industry often carries a “cool factor” that appeals to people my age, my role required me to go beyond the surface, exploring the networks and ecosystems of diverse industries to truly understand their needs.
After leaving the tech world, I took an unexpected turn—stepping into the realm of what many might call “old and boring” businesses. Next year, I’m launching Boring Fund, a venture dedicated to acquiring and revitalizing these traditional businesses. Our focus is on mergers and acquisitions, breathing new life into industries often overlooked by younger generations.
What excites me most about this journey isn’t just the business potential—it’s the people. Every day, I find myself interacting with baby boomers who have lived through incredible eras and built fascinating lives. Their stories, wisdom, and perspectives have opened my eyes to a completely different world. It’s inspiring to hear firsthand accounts of resilience, creativity, and hard work from individuals who shaped the industries we’re now helping to grow.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three most important things that have shaped my journey are resilience, communication, and antifragility.
1. Resilience: Life gets messy, but it’s all about focusing on the big picture and not letting emotions throw you off track.
2. Communication: Connecting with people is everything—whether you’re pitching an idea or building trust. Listen more, talk less, and always show empathy. A sales director I once hired gave me a great piece of advice: “We have two ears and one mouth for a reason—listen twice as much as you speak.” It’s true—most conflicts and misunderstandings happen because people don’t take the time to really listen.
3. Antifragility: Don’t just survive tough times—use them to grow. We are shaped by every experience, so the form of self is depends what you took form the experience. We fail and we learn.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my family taught me is the importance of honesty and integrity. They instilled in me the belief that trust is one of the most valuable assets you can ever have—and it’s something many people underestimate. My family always reminded me: “Never play small smart.” It’s easy to be clever, but true wisdom comes from thinking beyond the immediate and acting with integrity. That lesson has shaped how I approach every decision in life and business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadsplendadaddy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/litasli/
