They often call me a «digital dinosaur». It’s a title I wear with a certain amount of pride, not because I’m ancient, but because I’ve been navigating the digital ecosystem since the early 90s—back when remote work was done via fax machines and «e-commerce» was a radical concept.
Throughout my career as an international trainer, speaker, and guest professor, I’ve had the privilege of holding seminars and conferences in more than 60 countries across four continents.
But if there is one thing this global trek has taught me, it’s this: Technology changes, but human nature remains constant. To succeed in the former, you must master the latter.
My journey hasn’t just been about teaching digital transformation; it’s about the stories told, the bridges built, and the incredible people I’ve met through a global network that changed my life: Junior Chamber International (JCI).
The Academic Sailor: From Classrooms to Keynotes
My professional life took a turn I never expected. While I graduated as an economist, I never actually worked in that specialized field.
Instead, I found my mission as a storyteller traveler, someone who goes from “village to village” (or university to university) sharing experiences that inspire excellence.
Today, I split my time between the corporate world and academia. I teach digital transformation in leading universities across Europe and Ecuador, and I’ve served as the coordinator for the post-graduate program in Digital Marketing at the Portuguese Institute of Marketing Administration (IPAM) for the last 17 years.
Being a professor and a keynote speaker is, for me, an exercise in cultural humility.
I often use what I call the “Sponge” methodology: arriving in a new country days early to absorb the local vibe, history, and language so I can customize every presentation to the local reality.
Whether I’m speaking in Syria, Mongolia, or Colombia, my goal is always the same—to act as a catalyst for knowledge, helping professionals understand that the most important operating system is the human mind.
JCI: The Engine of Global Opportunity
People often ask how a trainer from Portugal managed to open doors in over 60 countries. The answer is simple: Networking is social leverage. And for me, the most powerful lever has always been Junior Chamber International (JCI).
What is JCI?
For those who aren’t familiar, JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs. It’s an organization that provides a platform for people to develop their leadership skills, social responsibility, and fellowship necessary to create positive change.
It isn’t just a club; it’s a global laboratory where you can test your leadership skills and build a network that spans the planet.
Being an active member and eventually a JCI Senator—a lifetime honor bestowed for outstanding service—was the real game-changer.
JCI taught me that in order to lead others, you must first know how to lead yourself. It gave me the credibility to speak to diverse audiences and provided a “safety net” of colleagues in almost every major city in the world.
Leading the Senators: 2022 and the European Vision
In 2022, my journey with JCI reached a new peak when I became the President of the Association of JCI Senators in Europe.
This role was about more than just a title; it was about managing a network of experienced leaders across a continent undergoing massive shifts.
The core of leadership, especially at this level, is about being an example. You cannot advocate for change or digital transformation by simply writing checks for software you don’t use.
You have to be “Subject Zero” of the change you want to see. Leading the European Senators allowed me to apply the principles of Inner Leadership — focusing on empathy, direct communication, and the power of asking the right questions.
The Human Face of Networking: Alena and Ukraine
Networking often gets a bad reputation as something cold or transactional—a mere “card-swapping” sport.
In reality, the best networking is about sharing and gratitude. It’s about the “Bank of Lost Opportunities” — the invisible cost of the connections we don’t make because we are too shy or too busy.
One of the greatest “deposits” in my personal bank of opportunities was meeting Alena Yaremchuk. A brilliant lawyer and a powerhouse member of JCI Ukraine, Alena and I first crossed paths through JCI events.
What started as a professional interaction quickly turned into a deep, long-lasting friendship.
Alena is the personification of resilience—a trait I consider the number one requirement for any entrepreneur. Our friendship took me to her home country, Ukraine, where I saw firsthand the strength and warmth of the people.
It’s one thing to read about a country in an atlas — which I loved doing as a child —but it’s quite another to walk its streets with a friend who can explain its soul. These are the “emotional bridges” that define my career.
Conclusion: Never Stop Being a Sponge
As I look at the photos—from award nights to casual meetings in distant lands—I’m reminded that success is not a standardized image.
It isn’t just about the number of countries on your belt or the awards on your shelf. It’s about the value you add and the curiosity you maintain.
We begin to age when we lose our curiosity because the brain, like a muscle, atrophies when it isn’t exercised.
My advice to anyone looking to go international? Take a leap of faith. Join a network like JCI, be humble enough to learn from everyone, and remember: our network is the real secret to personal and professional success.
Stay curious, stay mobile, and never forget to humanize your algorithm.
Filipe Carrera
www.filipecarrera.com
