"Constants Maximum Yield"
Every Friday, an influential figure steps into the limelight in our feature. This week, Stéphane Drouin, the President and CEO of Anges Québec, lends his insights.
In a candid interview, Marie-Eve Fournier of our site inquired about a word Drouin can't abide. He referred to the overuse of the term "victim," lamenting that people too often use it as a passive excuse rather than taking responsibility for their actions and steering their lives proactively.
When asked for advice he would give his younger self, Drouin suggested the cultivation of gratitude earlier in life. Despite leading a successful career, he regrets not fully appreciating the blessings life offers until much later. Gratitude, he stressed, fuels a positive outlook and helps individuals better appreciate their circumstances.
On the question of what ignites his passion at work, Drouin said his energy has always been high since his youth. He finds it difficult to identify a specific inspiration since he approaches his work with fervor and commitment. However, he noted a consistent wave of energy that propels him forward in all his endeavors.
Reminiscing on advice he's glad he disregarded, Drouin shared his decision to join Investissement Québec despite concerns from friends and colleagues. He found the four years there to be exhilarating and rewarding, worked alongside exceptional individuals, and contributed significantly to economic development.
Drouin described his most valuable investment as therapy, acknowledging its role in helping him understand himself better, address personal hurdles, and progress positively in life.
Emphasizing the importance of empathy in the business world, Drouin argued that it fosters collaboration and creates a conducive environment for exchange. He believes that as the business landscape becomes increasingly chaotic and complex, empathy will become even more crucial to navigate the challenges ahead.
In terms of book recommendations, Drouin advised reading "The 5 Big Dreams of Life" by John P. Strelecky for personal inspiration, and "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" by Yuval Noah Harari for updated insight into geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and the world's current economic climate.
Among networks in the business world, Drouin prefers attending business dinners to cultivating relationships and expanding his connections. He maintains a busy schedule of dinners, often averaging two to three per week, finding them more intimate and conducive to building stronger relationships.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Drouin sees it as a powerful tool for enhancing skills and efficiency. However, he also recognizes that it requires a critical eye, as the information it provides may not always be trustworthy. Consequently, he considers AI a double-edged sword, with the potential to either empower or intimidate.
Drouin admires Alain Bouchard of Couche-Tard for demonstrating a fusion of audacity and rigor. In his own career, he strives to mirror this by combining daring decisions with disciplined execution. Another Quebec entrepreneur he respects is François Roberge of La Vie en Rose, admiring him for his humility, humanity, and business acumen in a challenging industry.
Stéphane Drouin holds a degree in administration from Laval University and has built an impressive career as an investor and entrepreneur. He has served as Vice-President of Quebec Purchases and Economic Development at Investissement Québec, been the CEO of the Quebec Council of Retail Trade, and coached at the Beauce Entrepreneurship School. He also established the Quebec Centre for Innovation in Retail and currently serves as the President of Softball Quebec.
- Stéphane Drouin, in a discussion about personal growth, highlighted the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and steering one's life proactively, expressing his disdain for the overuse of the term "victim" as a passive excuse.
- In a conversation about self-development, Drouin suggested that cultivating gratitude earlier in life can have a positive impact, as it fosters a positive outlook and helps individuals appreciate their circumstances better.
- Sharing insights on career development, Drouin expressed that his passion at work has always been high since his youth, finding it difficult to pinpoint a specific inspiration but noting a consistent wave of energy that propels him in all his endeavors.
- On the topic of education and self-development, Drouin recommended reading "The 5 Big Dreams of Life" by John P. Strelecky for personal inspiration and "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" by Yuval Noah Harari for updated insight into geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and the world's current economic climate.
