I’m thrilled to share my chat with Nadir Ali—a FinTech businessman who’s orchestrated over $500 million in M&As, scaled businesses across three continents, and boasts 20,000+ LinkedIn followers. Based in Saudi Arabia but always on the move, Nadir blends global wisdom with grounded family life (he’s a dad of two boys, ages 10 and 7). We dove into hyper-growth strategies—not just for business, but for personal fulfillment. If you’re feeling stuck or searching for purpose, his insights are gold.
The conversation turned into a profound discussion on belief systems, resilience, and serving others. Nadir’s stories from high-stakes Saudi markets (where “impossible” happens every day) translate directly to everyday life. As a fellow dad managing business and family, I found his approach refreshing and actionable. Let’s break it down.
The Foundation: Careers Start with Belief Systems, Not Resumes
Nadir’s core mantra: “Careers don’t start with resumes; they start with belief systems.” Your resume is just history—a door opener. Beliefs shape how you handle pressure and create impact. In Saudi Arabia, he once hunted non-public acquisition data, cold-called the CEO, and nailed it overnight. No excuses, just results driven by purpose.
He’s seen polished resumes falter when values don’t align. Hyper-growth demands speed and direction—miss one, and you’re lost (echoing Stephen Covey’s ladder against the wrong wall). If your job lacks spark, ask your boss for the “why.” No luck? Treat it as life’s rhythm or pivot strategically. I did this myself, waiting a year for the right role.
Family, Complexity, and the Myth of “Me Time”
Balancing family? Nadir doesn’t see it as “complex”—it’s life’s cycle. Give your best; if it’s out of control, find peace. He skips “me time,” finding joy in moments with loved ones (a mindset shift for this introverted extrovert!). Social media? Useful for info, but know your “enough” (inspired by The Psychology of Money). His son’s rich/poor question got this gem: “We are poor among the rich and rich among the poor.”
This fuels his charity work: As a founding member aiding orphans, widows, and underserved students in Pakistan, he views it as duty. “It’s all about the man next to you”—serve without expecting returns. In giving, we receive; it fills you unexpectedly.
Perseverance, Books, and Key Takeaways
Nadir’s top read: Grit by Angela Duckworth—success is passion plus perseverance, loyal to what you believe. He evolved from “hard work alone” to emphasizing systems, teams, and culture. Leverage people once your North Star (purpose) is set.
Actionable Takeaways:
* Build Beliefs First: Audit your values—do they fuel resilience? If not, realign (try Simon Sinek’s Start with Why).
* Speed + Direction = Growth: Act fast, but confirm the path. No million-dollar idea survives without execution.
* Serve Nearby: Help the person next to you—colleague, family, stranger. It creates purpose and fulfillment.
* Know Your Enough: Avoid endless chases; find contentment in the rhythm of life.
* Persevere with Grit: Combine passion with loyalty to your North Star—systems and teams amplify it.
Nadir, your joyful spirit shines. Let’s reconnect for round two. Listeners, subscribe to the Fulfillment Project, follow Nadir on LinkedIn for his insightful charts, and share your “man next to you” story below. What’s one belief you’re rethinking?
P.S. Dive deeper: Grab Grit or Start with Why on Amazon. No affiliates, just game-changers.
Top 10 Quotes
* “I sincerely believe without purpose, we cannot go anywhere. Maybe you can go in circles. You are just entertaining a lot of noise, but you cannot really create an impact.” – Nadir Ali
* “Careers don’t start with resumes, they start with belief systems.” – Nadir Ali
* “If you sincerely believe in something, move heaven and earth to get it done.” – Nadir Ali
* “We are poor among the rich and we are rich among the poor.” – Nadir Ali (responding to his son’s question about wealth)
* “It’s all about the man next to you.” – Nadir Ali
* “If your core values are strong, then that takes you miles. Because your resume in a nutshell is just a door opener, and that’s it. But in actual, how you are going to last depends upon the values.” – Nadir Ali
* “There is no other way.” – Nadir Ali (emphasizing the necessity of purpose in life and work)
* “It’s passion plus perseverance.” – Nadir Ali (drawing from Grit by Angela Duckworth)
* “Just don’t give up. Be yourself, right? And you don’t need any permission to do things.” – Nadir Ali
* “In giving that we receive.” – Andy (reflecting on the fulfillment from serving others)
Chapters
* 00:00 - Intro highlight Clips and Welcome Nadir opens with a powerful reflection on purpose versus aimless busyness.Andy introduces Nadir, sharing excitement about the podcast’s growth and Nadir’s background.
* 02:14 - Family First: Balancing Kids, Careers, and Chaos Nadir discusses his family life and how it grounds his high-stakes world.
* 03:39 - Beyond the Resume: Building Careers on Unshakable Beliefs Exploring how belief systems drive success over past achievements.
* 06:08 - Pressure Cooker Moments: Thriving in Saudi’s Dynamic Market Nadir shares a high-pressure acquisition story that redefined urgency.
* 11:21 - Everyday Hustle: From Furniture Sales to Hyper-Growth Mindsets Andy’s anecdote about relentless pursuit, tying into Nadir’s experiences.
* 14:02 - Purpose Ignition: How to Find Your ‘Why’ in Any Role Strategies for discovering and infusing purpose into work and life.
* 22:38 - Speed Meets Direction: The Twin Engines of True Success Unpacking the FinTech formula for avoiding common pitfalls.
* 25:17 - The Epiphany: When Business Alone Isn’t Enough Nadir’s realization in an executive role that purpose fuels everything.
* 29:25 - Life’s Beautiful Complexity: No Whining, Just Winning Managing family, work, and mindset without seeing it as a burden.
* 32:19 - Rich in Perspective: Lessons from a Child’s Simple Question Nadir’s wisdom on wealth, social media, and knowing your “enough.”
* 33:49 - Ditching ‘Me Time’: Joy in Every Shared Moment Why Nadir finds fulfillment in connections, not solitude.
* 38:26 - Giving Back: The Duty That Fuels a Greater Purpose Nadir’s charitable work with orphans and the underserved.
* 47:04 - Rapid-Fire Wisdom: Books, Beliefs, and Lasting Legacies Quick hits on influential books, evolved mindsets, and family memories.
* 51:40 - Final Charge: Move Heaven and Earth for What Matters Nadir’s closing advice on persistence, authenticity, and service.
