The 10 Most Influential Leaders to Follow in 2022

We often use the phrase “two steps forward,
one step back” to depict the process of
failure. But taking a step back after two
steps forward does not have to be negative. Within
those movements, there is still progress. The journey
to success is rarely linear, so I believe it’s the individuals
who know how to overcome roadblocks,
setbacks, failure, and rejection that reach their highest
potential and live the most fulfilling lives.
When I am rejected or hear “no,” I take time to look
at the resilience of successful people I know and
admire for inspiration. In my current role, I have been
fortunate to meet many influential and successful
people. One of the individuals I enjoy working with
the most is billionaire John Paul DeJoria. Something
he says that has always resonated with me is that one
of the keys to success is being prepared for rejection.
“Throughout your career, you are going to run across
rejection. You will knock on doors, and many will
close on you. To be successful, you must remain as
confident and enthusiastic on door No. 59 as you
were on door No. 1. If you realize this is going to
happen, the rejection won’t hit you so hard. It will
help you be resilient!” - John Paul DeJoria
Despite now being a multi-billionaire, John Paul’s
route to success didn’t unfold in the streamlined way
that most people probably expect. The co-founder of
John Paul Mitchell Systems and founder of Patron
Tequila had to work incredibly hard to get to where
he is today. He lived an impoverished childhood,
ended up homeless on two separate occasions as a
young adult, and even spent time working as a
door-to-door salesman and a janitor. It may be hard to
believe, but one of the most profitable haircare companies
in the world, started out being peddled from
the trunk of John Paul’s car.
John Paul DeJoria firmly believes that every ‘no’
allows you the opportunity to mold yourself into a
success. When you utilize every experience as a
lesson for growth, unearth a sharper and more resilient
version of yourself.
There are countless examples of iconic people who
have achieved success by facing their failings and
using them to harness determination and reach the top
of their field.
3. Steven Spielberg
“Failure is inevitable. Success is elusive.” - Steven
Spielberg
After being rejected twice by the University of Southern
California’s School of Cinematic Arts, Spielberg
persisted on which resulted in him winning three
Academy Awards and grossing more than $9 billion
from the film industry.
4. Oprah Winfrey
“There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life
trying to move us in another direction.”- Oprah
Winfrey
After being fired from her first TV job as an anchor in
Baltimore, Oprah is now one of the most recognized
TV personalities in the world, a multi-billionaire
thanks to hosting one of the most successful talk
shows of all time, and now even owns her own TV
channel.
5. J.K Rowling
“It is impossible to live without failing at something,
unless you live so cautiously that you might as well
not lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.” -
J.K Rowling
Originally written as an escape from her depression,
financial woes, and struggling as a single mother,
Harry Potter was rejected countless times until one
publisher decided to take a chance on her vision. J.K
Rowling turned her initial story into a seven-book
world-renowned series, which resulted in corresponding
blockbuster movies and made her one of the
wealthiest people in Britain.
8. Arianna Huffington
“Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of
success.” - Arianna Huffington
After her second book was rejected a colossal 36
times before publication, Arianna Huffington went on
to build The Huffington Post empire and write multiple
New York Times Best Sellers.
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