Maïthé Quintana’s story is a testament to resilience and determination. Despite facing significant learning challenges and setbacks in her early education, she managed to overcome these obstacles and achieve remarkable success as an entrepreneur.
Her journey has inspired her to create a program aimed at helping both adults and children unlock their full potential, find their purpose (IKIGAI), and achieve their goals. This program leverages a combination of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and human guidance, highlighting her commitment to utilizing innovative approaches to support personal and professional growth.
Maïthé’s emphasis on continuously stimulating creativity aligns with her belief that the brain, which is the source of creativity, requires regular exercise and mental engagement to flourish. She remains deeply connected to evolving trends in various areas, such as new consumer behaviors, AI tools, human resources, and infopreneur ship techniques, demonstrating her dedication to staying at the forefront of relevant knowledge and insights.
Following Her Calling in the Business World
Maïthé’s life journey is a remarkable testament to her resilience and determination. Despite facing challenges in her early education and entering the workforce at a young age, she quickly realized her true calling lay in the business world. Her career path is a testament to her ability to turn obstacles into opportunities.
Starting as a secretary, Maïthé honed her sales skills through door-to-door visits and eventually climbed the corporate ladder, becoming Sales Director at Club Internet. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to take over a struggling company, Booster Game, which she successfully restructured and turned into a thriving business, serving well-known clients.
In 2008, Maïthé founded her own investment fund, Dharma et Associés, demonstrating her versatility and aptitude for business leadership.
Inspired by her own challenging educational journey, Maïthé Quintana established the Centre National de l’Innovation Pédagogique (CNIP) in 2014. This institution focuses on adult education, teaching emotional management techniques and neuro-sales management, among other skills, using the neuroscience-based N-ASS® method.
In 2015, she expanded her educational efforts by founding the Centre International de l’Ikigai, where students learn to master their abilities and develop soft skills through the neuroscience-based N-Ass method.
Maïthé’s approach to education incorporates concepts from neuroscience, NLP, hypnosis, psychology, and multiple intelligences, providing students with highly effective learning experiences. Her methods have shown impressive results, with students retaining up to seven times more information compared to conventional methods.
Not content with her achievements in France, Maïthé Quintana launched the IKIGAI JUNIOR process in 2020, training coaches to help young individuals position themselves in their studies and careers. Her commitment to education and personal development led her to open the International Ikigai Academy in Miami in November 2023, marking her entry into the American educational landscape.
In addition to her professional achievements, Maïthé is a dedicated mother of two boys, and her decision to explore the “American dream” showcases her adventurous spirit and determination to make a positive impact globally.
Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
Maïthé’s insights into the challenges faced by emerging women leaders are both profound and empowering. She recognizes that self-confidence often wavers due to the influence of limiting beliefs imposed by various sources, including the media, people in one’s life, or early experiences. These beliefs can manifest as fears of failure, imposter syndrome, and the need for discipline and a clear vision for their projects.
Her perspective on setbacks and failures as opportunities for growth is particularly noteworthy. Maïthé views her own experiences of business difficulties not as failures but as stepping stones to eventual success. She draws a parallel between the process of learning to walk as a child, where falling is an integral part of the journey. In this analogy, each fall is a valuable learning experience that contributes to eventual mastery.
The emphasis on embracing falls and setbacks as learning opportunities resonates with the idea of resilience and perseverance. It’s a reminder that challenges are an inherent part of any journey towards success, and they should be seen as opportunities for growth rather than as insurmountable obstacles.
Embracing Imperfection
Maïthé emphasis on the importance of commitment and honesty in leadership reflects timeless values that hold true in the modern business world. She highlights the significance of keeping one’s word and maintaining integrity, values that were once symbolized by a simple handshake. In an era where trust in business dealings can be eroded, her emphasis on these principles serves as a reminder of their enduring importance.
Her perspective on success, characterized by the belief that “I’ve got nothing to lose,” reflects a mindset of daring and calculated risk-taking. This approach acknowledges the balance between audacity and taking calculated risks. It’s a mindset that encourages innovation and growth by embracing the idea that perfection isn’t necessary; progress and learning come from taking action.
Maïthé’s willingness to embrace imperfection and pursue projects even when they are not 100% finalized reflects an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to continuous improvement. Her reference to “versions 2.02” suggests that ongoing refinement and iteration are integral to the process of growth and success.
Anticipation is the Key
Maïthé’s views into entrepreneurship highlight the challenges and sacrifices that come with leading a business. Her focus on anticipation underscores the importance of being prepared for various situations, including dealing with non-paying customers, financial challenges, and the potential risks of bankruptcy. As a business leader, the ability to anticipate and respond to such challenges is essential for survival and growth.
She candidly acknowledges the difficulties and stresses that entrepreneurs face, emphasizing that it’s not a path for everyone. The personal sacrifices, including missing out on family moments and navigating marital and family issues, are part of the reality for many entrepreneurs. This perspective sheds light on the human side of entrepreneurship, where individuals often grapple with the complexities of balancing personal and professional life.
Her mention of managing the emotional well-being of teams highlights the importance of leadership skills beyond business acumen. Effectively addressing emotional challenges within a team is crucial for maintaining productivity and cohesion. A leader’s ability to defuse emotional tensions and support team members contributes to a healthier work environment.
Alignment of Passions and Talents
Maïthé’s perspective on Ikigai and its application in personal and professional development is enlightening. Ikigai, which originates from Okinawa, Japan, is a concept that revolves around finding purpose, satisfaction, and well-being in life, encompassing both personal and professional aspects.
Here are some key insights into Ikigai and its applications:
- Rediscovering Well-being and Serenity: Ikigai serves as a pathway to rediscover professional motivation and life’s purpose. It helps individuals overcome feelings of malaise and guides them to bring out their talents, ultimately leading to a sense of contentment and fulfillment.
- Finding One’s Way: Ikigai encourages individuals to align their passions and talents with what they can contribute to the world while sustaining themselves financially. It’s about finding the intersection of what one loves, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for.
- Suitable for Everyone: Ikigai is a versatile concept applicable to individuals and groups alike. It can reduce emotional burdens and conflicts, both internally and within teams. Training and coaching sessions can be tailored to different needs and delivered in various formats, from face-to-face to remote.
- Well-being and Performance: Maïthé emphasizes that managers have a responsibility to provide resources like Ikigai to enhance their employees’ well-being and performance. When individuals are emotionally aligned and content, their overall performance tends to improve.
- Relevance Across Life Stages: Ikigai is valuable at any age and can assist in various life stages. It can help individuals overcome challenges like burnout, career transitions, or even prepare for retirement. Additionally, there’s a specific focus on coaching teenagers and young adults in building their study and life projects.
Holistic Recruitment Approach
Maïthé’s recruitment approach emphasizes assessing soft skills over traditional qualifications and experience. Key takeaways include a focus on skills like collective emotional intelligence, creativity, and decision-making. Diverse perspectives, including individuals with unconventional backgrounds, are valued. This strategy recognizes the importance of soft skills in building high-performing teams and fostering innovation.
Perspective on Technology and AI
Maïthé recognizes the significant technological advancements throughout her lifetime, from early computers to the integration of technology into daily life. She emphasizes the importance of embracing technology to streamline administrative tasks while focusing on human interactions and collective intelligence. Maïthé also discusses her work in artificial intelligence (AI) and acknowledges concerns about AI’s potential misuse, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and critical thinking to preserve free will and freedom of thought.
Upcoming Projects
Maïthé shares her exciting upcoming projects, including the opening of the “International Ikigai Academy” center in Miami, which will offer the “your ikigai” program to help individuals in their career transitions through self-discovery and introspection. She also mentions a mentoring module on “business ikigai” project creation, an “Ikigai Attitude” module to help individuals break free from limiting patterns, and an adaptation of the ikigai program for teenagers.
Additionally, Maïthé highlights the “French Campus of Excellence,” a program she has been developing for over 15 years, focusing on social skills, emotional management, and career development. This program aims to help individuals integrate into the workplace and overcome obstacles in their careers.
Furthermore, Maïthé mentions the opening of the Ikigai coaching school in Miami, which will train certified coaching professionals in Adult and Junior coaching, with the goal of helping individuals find their life mission and achieve personal growth.
Leading by Example
Maïthé emphasizes the importance of being the kind of manager that you would have wanted to have in your career. This advice reflects her belief in the significance of leadership qualities such as empathy, support, and guidance in creating a positive and productive work environment.
International-ikigai-academy.com
Written by Steve Sanchez.
