The most important lesson that I learned in my 20s

Carl Cervone argues that when you strongly disagree with an organization you do not control, you should walk away and build your own thing rather than escalate with public campaigns or boardroom power plays. He describes how, at 24, he was fired from a Tanzanian microloan project after sending its founder, "Pepe", a letter requesting a raise from $500 to $2000 per month, signatory control of a foreign foundation, and a seat at strategic planning. Cervone says he drafted a "mean letter" and considered fighting back, but his mother talked him down, and he later found new work in Tanzania and went on to start organizations.