Careers rarely move in straight lines, even when they look coherent in hindsight. Mine certainly didn't begin with a grand plan to work across governments, multinationals and heavy industry. It evolved through curiosity, opportunity, and a willingness to step into environments that demanded constant adaptation.

I began my professional life working for the French government, as a teacher. It was a formative experience, not because it was easy, but because it taught me early on that progress depends far more on people than on systems...