Written by Mike Stevenson, Entrepreneur
Mike Stevenson has been likened to both civil rights icon Martin Luther King and Scottish comedian Billy Connolly, yet he stands in a league of his own. As a speaker, he captivates audiences, leaving them not only inspired but also with renewed purpose.
In times of uncertainty, chaos often feels like an unmovable force, but history shows that it can be a catalyst for remarkable human advancement. By harnessing our innate resilience and innovation, we have the power to turn turbulent periods into opportunities for growth. This article explores how embracing change can lead us through the storm toward a brighter future.
A journey through chaos to change
When chaos reigns, many see only the storm. I, however, see it as a sign that better things are on the horizon. This belief has been the pattern of my life: desperate lows followed by exhilarating highs. It’s a cycle I’ve come to understand well, one where the lower the fall, the greater the rise.
In this moment of global uncertainty, we face collective upheaval, not unlike the personal challenges I’ve weathered. But just as I’ve learned to thrive through adversity, I believe this chaos signals a broader opportunity for human renewal. It’s a chance to embrace change, not just through technology but through human growth and resilience.
Recognizing the cycle of renewal
The turning point in my life came when I recognized this cycle for what it was: not an unrelenting pattern of failure and success but a natural rhythm. No matter how low things got, better was always just around the corner. It’s an important lifeline to hold onto, especially in times like these.
After the 2008 banking crash, I hit rock bottom. I lost my business and my house and accumulated debt that seemed insurmountable. But even in that despair, I remained relaxed, confident that I would bounce back. At nearly sixty years old, many doubted whether I had the resolve or energy to reinvent myself, but I knew the upswing was coming. I leaned into it, building a new career as a speaker. From media features to TV interviews, I clawed my way back, driven by the certainty that success wasn’t just possible. It was inevitable.
And then came COVID-19, and with it, another upheaval. Cancelled gigs and paused campaigns are another low points. Yet, like before, I knew it was all part of the same cycle. Chaos brings clarity. The storm will pass. And as I had predicted years before, this global crisis would spark a renewal, clearing the way for new possibilities.
A global low point and an opportunity for renewal
Today, the world finds itself at a significant low point. The past few years have been marked by widespread upheaval, from pandemics and economic crises to political and environmental challenges. But as I’ve often said, chaos is a necessary precursor to renewal. Just as I had to rebuild from my own personal crises, so too must we collectively rebuild in this time of global turmoil.
In five years, everything will look and feel different. What matters now is how we prepare for that transformation. This is a time for creative outliers, those fearless, bold changemakers who are ready to embrace human potential alongside technological innovation. We are standing at the cusp of a new era, and it is those who see challenges as creative opportunities that will lead us into the future.
A lesson from adversity
One thing I’ve come to understand is that most great leaders have experienced profound failure. Now, more than ever, it’s time for those who have faced adversity to step up. When you’ve been knocked down, when you’ve lost everything and had to rebuild, you develop talents that formal education can never teach.
I learned more from life’s brutalities than from anything I was taught in a classroom. True leadership comes from harnessing the lessons of an imperfect life, one filled with failures and moments of despair. These moments shape resilience, humility, empathy, and strength. The leaders we need today aren’t those who see themselves as superior but those who have suffered, who understand the human condition, and who know that success comes from lifting others.
The best leaders I’ve known didn’t rise from academia but from the cold, hard realities of life. They understood the power of selflessness, and they worked tirelessly to build up their communities. They polished the youngest among us into jewels, instilled confidence in those who doubted themselves, and helped others achieve their dreams. This is what true leadership looks like: seeing the big picture and inspiring others to rise above their own expectations.
Breaking free from labels
In my own journey, I’ve often been typecast, labelled, and boxed in. As an actor, I played roles from brutal gangsters to comedic heroes, yet I was quickly pigeonholed into one type of character. Similarly, in my speaking career, people often expect me to deliver a one-dimensional keynote. But I’ve learned to reject these limitations.
When I step on stage, I don’t have a pre-packaged presentation. I ask, "Who is the audience, and what are their challenges?" From there, I build something that resonates insightful, inspiring, and motivating. I’ve been called a Changemaking Speaker because I don’t just deliver a temporary lift. I aim to spark lasting change in behaviour, actions, and outlooks.
This is what I want others to understand: Don’t typecast us. Don’t downcast us. Leaders are multidimensional, and our challenges are the catalysts for our growth.
Human-centred progress
Difficult times call for a shift in focus from corporate objectives to human values. Human beings possess an extraordinary capacity for growth, creativity, and excellence. Yet, when we speak of progress, we often focus solely on technological advancement. This needs to change.
It is my mission, both as a speaker and as a human being, to bring attention back to human advancement. Technology can take us to new heights, but it is humanity’s resilience, empathy, and ingenuity that will determine the future. I am dedicated to helping others realise their strengths and grow beyond their limitations. As we look ahead, it’s clear that technological innovation alone will not save us, and we must nurture human potential alongside it.
A new era of leadership
As I reflect on my own life, filled with highs and lows, successes and failures, I see a metaphor for the world today. We are amid a great transformation, one in which the old orthodoxies are being replaced by new, more human-centred ways of thinking.
The future demands leaders who have lived through hardship, who understand that adversity shapes greatness, and who are committed to helping others rise. The challenges ahead require more than just technological advancement they require us to advance as human beings.
This is my mission: to guide others in realising their potential, to foster human growth alongside technological progress, and to inspire the kind of leadership the world so desperately needs. Together, we can embrace this moment of chaos and turn it into an era of lasting change.
Read more from Mike Stevenson
Mike Stevenson, Entrepreneur
Mike’s journey from rough sleeper to multi-award-winning entrepreneur is a real tour-de-force, and how he turns that learning into life-changing messages makes him a truly compelling keynote speaker. When words like ‘inspirational’ and ‘Captivating’ come as standard and comparison is made to Martin Luther King’s legendary ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, you know you are getting something special with Mike. When you have slept on the streets of London, worked in many industries, been a stage musician, appeared on film and TV, been guilded as an entrepreneur, and repeatedly reinvented yourself, you acquire spadefuls of knowledge and accumulated wisdom.
He unites and lifts audiences and leaves them empowered and rejuvenated.
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